As the number of local Covid-19 infections on the island continues to rise, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed that the Phuket Sandbox program will remain in place.
"The Phuket Sandbox scheme is still continuing," Woonciew said during a live broadcast. "The situation right now has not disturbed the opening [of Phuket to receiving fully vaccinated tourists without quarantine]."
"We think that the measures to be enforced will be able to control the outbreak," he added, referring to a raft of new prevention measures introduced in a new provincial order issued yesterday.
On Tuesday, Phuket reported 114 local infections in the past seven days, easily exceeding the "90 infections in one week" limit set by the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration in Bangkok late in June, as reason enough to begin considering whether the Phuket Sandbox scheme should be suspended.
Woonciew said that to prevent the spread of the virus, all local educational institutions will be closed until Aug. 16, with retail malls and sporting facilities being closed until Aug. 2.
He further said that the local authorities had enforced a ban on public gatherings of more than 100 individuals starting Tuesday.
According to local media, the increase of cases has been attributed to people entering the island to look for work since the island opened for business.
Starting July 1, overseas visitors from low- and medium-risk countries can enter the island after testing negative upon arrival under the Phuket Sandbox. They no longer have to go through a 14-day mandatory quarantine, but must stay on the island for two weeks before traveling to other provinces in the kingdom.
Since the island's reopening July 11, 11,806 foreign visitors have arrived, with 26 fully vaccinated arrivals testing positive for as of July 26.
