Thailand’s Covid-19 task force to debate quarantine reduction proposal tomorrow, again

After deciding in last week’s meeting to continue on with the mandatory 14 day quarantine, the issue of a reduction from 14 days to 10, is back on the table.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will meet tomorrow to discuss a proposal, again, to reduce mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 10, for arrivals from low-risk countries. But, again, a number of leading Thai medics are warning against the move, saying it could cause an uncontrollable spike in virus numbers.

Despite the Department of Disease Control and the Ministry of Public Health backing the proposal, some doctors say it could potentially result in up to 700 cases a day. They are urging officials to wait until an effective vaccine is available, which it’s hoped could be within the next 6 months.

The Pattaya News reports that Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, says that he understands the doctors’ concerns, but believes them to be unfounded, reminding them that the reduction would only apply to people coming from countries considered low-risk.

Addressing the proposal from Thai travel agents that the country be re-opened to Chinese tourists from 22 low-risk provinces, the Health Ministry says the matter is still under discussion and a final decision is yet to be made.

While China currently has a ban on organised tour groups travelling overseas, this does not apply to individual Chinese travellers, who are allowed to leave the country.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News