Thai Covid Center’s general in charge of day to day operations says no national Covid-19 lockdown after New Year

 The National Security Council Secretary-General, who also heads the Center for Covid-19 Situation Center’s “Small Panel” that runs daily operations and advises all restrictions and Covid-19 response measures, said earlier today that there will be NO national lockdown no matter how the Covid -19 situation will be after New Year.

The National Security Council Secretary-General Supot Malaniyom said today (December 31st). “We are preparing very hard to handle the Covid -19 pandemic after the New Year festival. Many people are going back to their hometowns and traveling.”

“We are requesting businesses and government offices to work from home if they can and do ATK (Rapid antigen) test when they come back to work.” Supot continued.

“If there are more Covid-19 confirmed cases found after this New Year festival, we don’t need a national lockdown. However it is possible to do some “small-scale” lockdowns for villages, sub-districts or districts if their local authorities wish to handle the Covid-19 pandemic in all areas.” Supot concluded.

His statements come as concerns, rumors, and speculation rise on social media about people concerned about potential restrictions or business shutdowns in response to the rising number of cases of the “Omicron” Covid-19 variant.

Although his statement rules out a national lockdown, it doesn’t rule out regional or provincial measures, TPN media notes.

Source - Pattaya News

 

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No national lockdown in Thailand

 

Prime minister Prayut said on Thursday there is no national lockdown order planned for Thailand, although the government will “intensify” measures following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Samut Sakhon. 

Speculation had mounted in recent days that Thailand would be plunged into lockdown after more than 1,000 cases had been reported in the country since Saturday, the majority of which are linked to an outbreak amongst migrant workers in Samut Sakhon. 

However, speaking ahead of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration briefing, the PM said there were no plans to place the whole country in lockdown. 

Instead, a new category system will be implemented in order to declare areas of risk throughout the country. 

 Red [Highly controlled]: High infection rate and at more than 1 location. 

Orange [Controlled areas]: Located close to the red zone or more than 10 cases or growing rate of infections 

Yellow [Under high surveillance]: Less than 10 cases 

Green [Under surveillance]: No cases 

Provinces in Red zone [Highly controlled]: 

Samut Sakhon - requires urgent contact tracing, use of tracing apps, restriction of business opening times, close of non-essential business and cancellation of events and public gatherings. Check points remain in place.  

Provinces in Orange zone [Controlled areas]: 

Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom & Bangkok - No cross-provincial movement of migrant workers. Mass events are discouraged, but not banned,  

Provinces in Yellow zone [Under high surveillance]: 

Angthong Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan,Nonthaburi,Pathum Thani, Petchaburi, Phetchabun, Phichit, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Prachinburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Prakan, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Uttaradit - Less restrictive than previous measures, people advised to work from home where possible but not mandatory. 

Provinces in Green zone [Under surveillance]:

All remaining provinces - Regular COVID-19 measures in place

At the time of posting there has been no announcement regarding restrictions on the sale of alcohol or the closing of bars, pubs or restaurants. Any restrictions of this kind are only likely if a province is determined to be a ‘red zone’. 

Meanwhile, it has also been announced that the CCSA will resume its English language briefings from today (24 Dec). 

** This is a developing story. This post will be updated without notice

Source - Thai visa