Spokesman warns end of CCSA, Decree not guaranteed

Mark Twain is often (mis)quoted as saying, “Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” And the same, it seems, may be said of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) as a government spokesperson said yesterday that, despite an announcement Friday, the lifting of the Emergency Decree and dissolution of the CCSA will be closely evaluated and is not a sure thing.

Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said that, while PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations will not be extended a 20th time when it is set to expire on September 30, that doesn’t mean the decree will instantly disappear.

The decree, which has been in effect since March 24, 2020, and created the CCSA to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, will continue operating, evaluating the Covid situation and Thailand’s plan of action right up until September 30. He explained that the CCSA is planning guidelines and procedures to transition from treating coronavirus as a dangerous disease to considering it a disease under surveillance. That classification change will allow life to finally get back to normal while keeping an eye on Covid.

The government has decided that being triple vaccinated, as many people in Thailand are, provides 90% protection against the virus and 90% of Thai residents have developed immunity, so Covid will soon be a normal flu, saying most people will get a mild case every year, with only the most vulnerable people being in danger. The CCSA will evaluate one last time before the expiration date to make sure it is safe to end the decree, according to the spokesman.

“Before October 1, CCSA will evaluate the situation and weigh the risks to see if any mechanisms are necessary to contain the spread and ensure effective management.”

The spokesperson also took the opportunity to deny claims that the Emergency Decree was put in place or kept in place unnecessarily to quash opposition to the government. Coronavirus restrictions under the CCSA forbid public gatherings, making the large anti-government rallies illegal, and allowing the police to arrest protesters.

SOURCE: The Nation