Thailand’s top epidemiologist warns against shortening quarantine

Thailand’s top epidemiologist has repeatedly warned against opening Thailand back up to tourism. Now that health officials have started a 1-month study to determine if the mandatory quarantine period can be cut down to 10 days, the doctor is once again warning health officials.

Thira Woratanarat, from the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, wrote on his Facebook page saying health officials should stick with the 14 day quarantine period. He says reducing the mandatory quarantine period could lead to local transmissions, and possibly another outbreak.

Health officials have upped Covid-19 testing at quarantine facilities to determine if the mandatory isolation period should be shortened from 14 to 10 days. Health officials initially tested people twice, first around the start of the quarantine and then around the end. Now people will be tested 3 times, on arrival, again on day 9 or 10 and then a third time on day 13 or 14.

The study ends on January 15. After the study, health officials with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will review the results and determine if the quarantine period should be reduced to 10 days.

Thira called for the study to stop. He warns that any misstep taken when opening up the borders could lead to another lockdown for several months.

SOURCE: Pattaya News

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