Travelers have dreaded having to comply with the strict 14-day quarantine protocols being enforced in countries like Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
But at least they are accepting American tourists at all, unlike Australia and Japan.
One country, however, is not only welcoming travelers with open arms, but is putting them in luxury accommodations while they wait out their mandatory 2-week quarantine period.
We’ve already shared with you how Singapore is taking incoming travelers to an unknown location to complete their 14-day quarantine protocol.
But the fear of not knowing where you may end up has left many simply avoiding the Asian country altogether.
For those who braved it out, a select few were fortunate to end up quarantining at 5-star accommodations.
And while the pandemic has hit the tourism industry the hardest, it’s brutally affected the countries that depend on revenue from tourists.
We’ve seen airlines lure passengers back by eliminating middles seats and increasing sanitization protocols, but we’re also seeing countries offer perks to help tourists forgo their fears of impending doom.
And nothing gets your mind off a worldwide pandemic like infinity pools and gourmet meals in Thailand.
Originally, Thailand had banned tourists for 6 months – but then realized they’d have to reopen in order to maintain their economy.
And their first cycle of travelers will be arriving in Phuket and staying at the renowned Senses Resort.
But before they can leave the luxurious grounds and enjoy the warm, clear waters of some of the best beaches in the world, the 300 incoming tourists from China and Scandinavia have to complete a strict 14-day quarantine that includes two coronavirus tests and temperature checks each morning and night – all overseen by an advanced team of doctors and security guards.
The Senses Resort overlooks Phuket’s Patong Bay and has 16 prime villas to house guests while they quarantine. But if you try to escape, newly-installed security cameras will alert security guards and they will kindly ask you to return to your prison in paradise.
“It will be comfortable but I am afraid I might be anxious because of the confinement,” Jean-François, a French retiree living in Sweden tells France 24.
Now, quarantining at this resort (as opposed to a typical motel) is going to cost you anywhere from $5,300 to $18,700 depending on the size of your family.
But owner Suppachoke Laongphet tells France 24, “We won’t make much profit from these special clients because of the expenses involved, but we had to find other sources of income to support our staff and the local economy.”
Would you mind being locked in a room for two weeks if it offered you a perfect view and every comfort you could possibly imagine?
I’m not sure there’s enough umbrella cocktails to make up for the restrictions in freedom, but everything comes at a price I guess.
