Is 14-day quarantine mandatory for people entering Thailand? Can we do IVF cycles in Thailand recently?

　　Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented immigration control measures against Chinese visitors. Nevertheless, the immigration control measures in Thailand are friendly with visa on arrival issued to Chinese visitors as usual. That is because Thailand government believes in the idea that “China and Thailand are the members of one family". What they did was to install temperature monitoring devices in the airport and strengthen inspection efforts. Only the suspected cases would be treated in isolation.

　　However, a piece of news regarding “Quarantine in Thailand” was posted on Hot Search on March 3rd.

　　When this “breaking news” came out, it aroused widespread attention from the Thai media, the Chinese community in Thailand and the people who planned to visit Thailand. According to the news, people were required to be isolated for 14 days upon arrival in Thailand with no exception. As we know the validity period of the Thai visa on arrival is 15 days. Does that mean the recent travel plan to Thailand should be adjusted?

　　Just as netizens were getting anxious and worried about their trips, the terms and descriptions regarding the “14-day quarantine requirement without exception” were all deleted in the document issued at 17:12 Bangkok local time on March 3rd.

　　The doctor in the Center of Disease Control of the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand clarified the information on the updated documents:

　　The isolation is voluntary. People entering Thailand from 9 countries and regions including China, whether they are foreigners or Thailand citizens, are advised to conduct a 14-day “self-isolation” in a place. Foreigners entering Thailand may stay in hotels, dormitories or apartment for self-isolation while Thailand citizens may choose to stay in their own residence. The places for isolation is not uniformly arranged or enforced by the government.

　　Those who have suspected symptoms or feel unwell may seek help from the medical clinics in Thailand and be isolated and observed at designated medical centers in Thailand.

　　Here are the key points:

　　“14-day quarantine” is advice instead of a requirement.

　　The quarantine policy applies to people of all nationalities.

　　Self-isolation means staying at home instead of uniformly centralized separation.

　　It is not enforced so there is no penalty.

　　It starts to be effective from March 4th.

　　Some people who entered Thailand on March 3rd shared their experience online that so far their trips to Thailand were not much affected. Furthermore, according to Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, Director of the Thailand National Tourism Administration, this regulation issued by the Ministry of Public Health will need further discussion and modification which might take 1-2 days.

　　As a result, this regulation does not look as “horrible” as imaged. As the details have not yet been issued, it’s better to wait in patience instead of listening to or spreading rumors to reduce over-anxiety. We will continue to pay attention to the news regarding this regulation and will share with you in time if there is any update!

　　There are 43 confirmed cases in Thailand who are diagnosed with COVID 19. Under the circumstance where many other countries have implemented regulations that “prohibit” the entry of Chinese people, Thailand has become the prime choice for many families who are planning to do IVF cycles. They are able to travel to Thailand in order to materialize their family dream.

　　How to plan for an IVF cycle in Thailand during the pandemic?

　　1. The residences will be disinfected on a regular basis and protective measures will be carried out;

　　2. Our staff are required to wear masks when providing services to patients who are coming to do IVF cycles.

　　3. CEF Bangkok is operating normally. Our driver will pick patients up and drop them off from hospital to their residences to minimize their external personal contacts.

　　4. Nurses will provide injection service at the residences of the patients so they can stay indoors as much as possible.

　　5. For patients in Hubei Province who are planning to do IVF cycles to get pregnant in Thailand, it will be helpful to stay healthy by taking proper exercise, keeping good sleep and soaking feet in hot water before going to bed especially for women to increase their IVF success rate.

　　6. If you have any question, please reach out to our CEF consultants and we shall get back to you shortly;

　　Lastly, we sincerely hope that the pandemic will be under control as soon as possible and we wish everyone a successful IVF journey very soon!!