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Thailand eases entry rules despite omicron surge Thailand eases entry rules despite omicron surge Thailand will ease requirements for its quarantine-free entry program from March 1, even as the country fights its largest infection rate since the pandemic began due to surging cases caused by the omicron variant of COVID-19. Visitors must take a PCR test upon entry then perform a self-test with an antigen kit on the fifth day of their stay. Previously, travelers had to take a PCR test on the first and fifth day, show proof of a hotel reservation, then wait at the hotel throughout the first five days pending test results. From March, only proof of accommodation for the first day is required. Mandatory insurance for foreign visitors will be reduced from $50,000 to $20,000. "Higher insurance coverage would burden those visiting for pleasure and business," said Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Medical treatment for severe cases of COVID-19 in Thailand can cost up to 300,000 baht ($9,200) per person. International visitors must still present proof of vaccination at least 14 days prior to departure, as well as proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling to the country. The easing of COVID curbs comes despite rising case numbers. The government reported a record high 23,557 infections on Thursday, surpassing the 23,418 cases on Aug. 13, 2021. However, deaths on the day reached only 38 -- much lower than the 184 fatalities on Aug. 13 -- due in part to omicron's relative weakness compared to other COVID-19 variants despite its high virulence. With the relaxed entry requirements, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy hopes to reboot its crucial tourism sector. The government sees little risk in importing omicron cases from tourists as it is successfully dealing with the variant. It will still closely monitor the situation should a more virulent or easily transmissive COVID variant emerge. In October, Thailand shifted its coronavirus policy from eradication to coexistence, prioritizing economic recovery over stringent lockdowns. The country began accepting vaccinated tourists in November without quarantine requirements but suspended the policy for six weeks to assess omicron impacts. The quarantine-free entry program restarted in February. Thailand reported on Monday 1.6% growth for 2021 -- still not strong enough to recover from a 6.2% contraction in 2020. The government projects the economy to expand 3.5% to 4.5% this year but to achieve this needs a brisk recovery in tourism, which accounted for approximately 20% of Thailand's gross domestic product before the pandemic. The easing follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Increasing geopolitical tension could discourage international travel, ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HESk03GgSMQ