To revive the badly affected tourism industry in Thailand, the government is finalizing a plan that will make it possible for retired and senior tourists from Europe to spend the upcoming winter in Thailand.

Government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said that the government approved the plan in principle but it is still finalizing measures to reduce the risk of virus infection. The new plan will allow millions of senior tourists from European countries such as Sweden and Germany who usually spend the winter in warmer Mediterranean countries.

This move comes up at a time when economies that depend on tourism are responding to the pandemic, which has almost stopped global travel. Reopening to tourists has led to a resurgence of infections in some places such as the Caribbean island of Aruba. The governments are worry about striking the wrong balance between public health and economic assistance.

Mr. Boon Vanasin, Chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group Pcl, has said that although the borders of Asian countries have been closed to most foreigners since late March to curb the spread of the virus, the government is currently planning to issue visas to foreigners who wish to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months.

Thonburi Healthcare Group Pcl is the nation’s third largest private hospital firm which operates hospitals and retirement homes. The company has received enquiries from the European retirement community that they may have about 50,000 seniors planning the travel to Thailand in the coming winter. The company will look to work with hotels to provide quarantine facilities and long-term accommodation for senior citizens and other long-stay tourists, who can arrive by chartered flights before the start of winter.

Mr. Vanasin further said that he has a direct understanding of the government’s plan and expects it to arrive around winter. These long-term visitors will undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine and several virus tests in Phuket’s tourist hotspots. After 3 weeks on the island and a negative test result, visitors will be free to travel to other regions of Thailand.

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in Thailand, the country has reported a total number of 3,412 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 58 deaths caused. However, 3,252 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Monday (August 31).