Thailand
“Red zone” provinces may see tightened measures amid Covid outbreak
The 28 “red zone” provinces in Thailand, which are deemed high-risk for the spread of Covid-19, may see a potential tightening of measures after the country has experienced a spike in cases. The clamping down on these provinces also falls in line with the temporary closures of 25 types of businesses in Bangkok, in a further effort to curb the virus’ spread.
The measures are set to be proposed to PM Prayut tomorrow, and, if approved, will go into effect immediately with a proposed end date of February 1.
Bangkok is one of the 28 provinces declared as a “red zone” by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Other provinces include Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani.
Such business closures are centred around entertainment venues such as bars, pubs, water and amusement parks, playgrounds, floating markets and flea markets. Convenience stores, eateries, restaurants and food stalls also may not allow alcohol consumption under the new orders.
Barber shops, hairdressers or salons must also now limit their services to each customer at a maximum treatment time of up to 2 hours, while potential customers are not allowed to wait in their shops.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority has also closed schools under its oversight for 2 weeks and is implementing 14 checkpoints on inbound roads to screen people who are returning from holidays.
The roads are connected to other provinces, which see a lot of traffic coming from Chaeng Wattana, Bang Na-Trat, Suwinthawong, and Vibhavadi Rangsit.
According to Dr. Taweesilp, the spokesman for the CCSA… “if the tightening of measures is approved, it will be rolled out on a 2 tier system, whereas if the 1st tier fails, then the 2nd tier will come into effect”.
“The first tier limits the operating hours of businesses, closes at-risk ones, searches and arrests people who gather illegally, discourages inter-provincial travel, closes academic institutions, and encourages work from home across the red zones.”
The 1st tier also inclues travel restrictions for people coming from red zones, urgent active case finding and disease investigation. In the 2nd tier, restrictions on operating hours will be expanded to more types of businesses with some even being closed. Gatherings of people will be prohibited as well as a curfew being imposed.
The CCSA reported 216 new cases with 1 more death yesterday, bringing the total to 7,379 cases and 64 fatalities. 214 of those newly reported cases were local infections.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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171 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. The majority of the cases were detected in a proactive testing campaign. Thailand now has 3,168 active Covid-19 cases. The CCSA has reported a total of 12,594 infections and 70 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year.
Out of the 171 new Covid-19 cases, 125 were detected in a proactive testing campaign primarily among the migrant population in Samut Sakhon.
33 of the cases were local transmissions where people were exposed to the virus while visiting high risk areas. 18 of those cases were reported in Samut Sakhon.
13 of the cases were detected at quarantine facilities for those travelling to Thailand from overseas.
Active Covid-19 cases in Thailand as of January 18, according to Worldometers.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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For the first time in 3 weeks, since it was hit by the resurgence of Covid-19 in late December, the eastern province of Chon Buri has recorded no new cases. It comes after weeks of restrictions and the closure of businesses, including nightlife and entertainment venues. The provincial Department of Public Health confirmed the positive development, which is being attributed to proactive and targeted mass testing of high-risk groups.
The Pattaya News reports that hundreds of Chon Buri residents are being tested every day, with testing expected to continue for the rest of the week. Wichai Thanasopon from the Chon Buri Department of Public Health has cautioned against people dropping their guard however, insisting everyone must continue to adhere to hygiene measures such as mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing.
Officials have also said it’s too soon to say if shuttered businesses can re-open or if other restrictions can be lifted, adding that they will monitor the situation as mass-testing continues throughout the province. Among the high-risk groups being tested are migrant workers living in cramped and crowded conditions, as well as those who visited entertainment spots in Si Racha, those who attended illegal gambling events, and key workers such as supermarket employees and taxi drivers.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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A top medic in Thailand says data from the World Health Organisation and John Hopkins University indicates that the Covid-19 situation in the Kingdom is not currently a cause for concern. Mondej Sookpranee, a specialist in infectious diseases at MedPark Hospital in Bangkok, says both the WHO and John Hopkins have evaluated the situation in Thailand.
“Both organisations have evaluated Thailand in ‘not high burden and not growing’ countries, thanks to people’s co-operation to contain the spread of the virus.” He adds that everyone in the country should continue to adhere to Covid-19 safety measures.
Thailand recorded 7,025 cases of Covid-19 between December 14 and January 14, with the average number over 24 hours being 271, according to WHO data. This equates to an infection rate of 10.2% or 0.4% over 24 hours, per 100,000 people.
John Hopkins has recorded the number of cases in the last 30 days as 7,189, with a 24 hour average of 459. This equates to an infection rate of 10.4% per 100,000 people, or 0.7% over 24 hours.
28 Thai provinces remain under “highly controlled” restrictions after the virus resurfaced in the Kingdom last month, with the first outbreak recorded at a seafood market in the central province of Samut Sakhon. The outbreak is thought to have been caused by the illegal smuggling of migrant workers, who were trafficked into the country without undergoing mandatory quarantine. The outbreak has since spread to more than 60 provinces. Clusters of cases have also been linked to illegal gambling dens.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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babble
Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 11:28 am
If you don’t use “amid” or “amidst” at least once a day you’re not happy, aren’t you? 5555555555
Kristof
Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Unfortunately i sense there is no other choice but to tighten restrictions in the red-zones and possibly in all others depending on what they look like in the coming weeks. I think Thailand may have made a mistake in not post-poning New Years that could be more economically devastating to their larger coming events of Songkran and CNY. As economic consequences may have fueled the decision to keep New Year mostly open, i urge those in the business community to consider the long-term implications of decisions. The sacrifice of certain economic sectors like tourism may be a necessity if it keeps the larger local economy running, and i say that as a tourist. I understand the importance of the economic situation well. But short-term gain is never a gain if it leads to long-term loss.
Jules
Monday, January 4, 2021 at 5:42 am
Of course Thailand can’t rely on tourism when pre coronavirus their visa conditions were draconian