The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Spokesperson, disclosed they have agreed to intensify COVID-19 preventive and control measures.
Zones are currently being categorized as maximum and strict control, maximum control, or control zone.
The high-level alert is causing additional bans and closures.
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Spokesperson, disclosed that they have agreed to intensify COVID-19 preventive and control measures. Rezoning of Thailand control areas has been approved as follows:
1) maximum and strict control zone: 6 provinces,
2) maximum control zone: 45 provinces, and
3) control zone: 26 provinces. Quarantine of all forms has also been extended to 14 days, while both public and private sectors must consider strict working from home for at least 14 days.
Additional restrictions due to the high-level alert include:
1) Ban dining-in and drinking at restaurants,
2) Restaurants can be opened until 2100 hours,
3) Ban of activities with mass gathering of over 20 people,
4) Closure of indoor gyms and sports venues (open-air sports fields and venues may remain open until 2100 hours),
5) Shopping malls, department stores, and community malls may also remain open for service until 2100 hours,
6) Supermarkets, night markets, overnight markets, walking streets, and convenience stores can operate until 2300 hours. Residents of the deep red zone have also been urged not to travel outside of the control zone.
Dining in restaurants in the maximum control zone (red) and control zone (orange) are still allowed during the designated period. Wearing mask when going outside or in public places remains a maximum preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19.
The CCSA Spokesperson also disclosed about the government’s vaccination plan that the target is 100 million doses to be given to 50 million people (70% of the population) by the end of 2021. At present, 63 million doses of vaccines have been secured, whereas the Ministry of Public Health has proposed for procurement of different vaccines for an additional 37 million doses as follows: Pfizer Biotech 5-20 million doses, sputnik V 5-10 million doses, Johnson & Johnson 5-10 million doses, and others (Moderna, or Sinopharm, or Bharat, etc.)
Venues for vaccination will be arranged at hospitals and other locations outside hospitals, totaling 1,000 venues throughout the country. Each will perform 50-100 inoculations per day. It is expected that all 100 million doses will be given out within 4-7 months (September-December 2021). For Bangkok, other than hospitals, vaccination venues will also be arranged at university stadiums, convention centers, etc., totaling 100 venues. A total of 1,000 doses of vaccines per day will be provided at each venue, and with this, all the people in Bangkok will receive the first shot within the period of 3 months (June-August).
The CCSA Spokesperson also called on everyone to refrain from traveling and meeting with people. If strict COVID-19 preventive etiquettes are observed, the Spokesperson said the number of infected patients should decrease by 14 days, and some of the measures would then be eased.
Tags: Thailand
