The Thai government has decided to extend the suspension of the “test and go” quarantine exemption program until further notice, after raising the alert level of the coronavirus to the second highest level as the number of cases of infection in Thailand increases.
The Ministry of Health has raised Thailand’s COVID-19 level to 4. This indicates that stricter measures will be imposed, such as closing high-risk venues such as restaurants and other venues and restricting meetings.
Thailand reported 5,775 new cases on January 6, double the number of 3,112 on January 2, so the change in alert level follows a surge in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases. I was. to date.
Thailand’s task force spokesman, Tawishin Bisanuyoshin, said on January 7 that Thailand has extended the suspension of the quarantine exemption system indefinitely to curb the spread of the CCP virus.
Earlier, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha announced that the quarantine exemption system would be suspended until at least January 4, but that does not apply to the country’s “Phuket Sandbox” program.
The sandbox program allows travelers to enter the state without quarantine and move freely within the island, but they must stay there for seven days before traveling to other parts of the country.
According to Prayut, Thailand has received approximately 200,000 test-and-go and sandbox scheme applications, of which 110,000 have arrived and an additional 90,000 travelers are awaiting approval.
The Task Force said most of the 26,402 visitors who arrived in Thailand after January 1st entered the country through the Test and Go program.
The Sandbox Program currently covers three islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan) in the provinces of Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, in addition to the current province of Phuket.
Visanuyothin said that anyone already enrolled in the Test and Go scheme will not be allowed to enter Thailand after January 15. The government will also lift the immigration ban on travelers returning from eight African countries after January 11.
“If things get better, we can still make changes, but for now we need to learn more about Omicron,” he told reporters.
Thailand has also banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants in 69 states, but the remaining eight zones, including the capital Bangkok, can only serve alcohol until 9 pm as a measure to curb the spread of the CCP virus. ..
“Social drinking is the cause of the spread of the virus. Measures to limit it can help control the spread,” said Visanuyothin.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.