Thailand extends ban on international passenger flights

Thailand has extended a ban on international passenger flights again for another month until June 30, in a bid to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
Thailand extends ban on international passenger flights ảnh 1The deserted scene at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkokon March 16 amid the spread of COVID-19 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand has extended a ban oninternational passenger flights again for another month until June 30, in a bidto contain the spread of the COVID-19.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand said onits website on late May 16 that no passenger flights originating outside thecountry may land at Thai airports until June 30. The exceptions are state ormilitary aircraft, emergency or technical landing, humanitarian aid, medicineand relief flights, along with repatriation and cargo aircraft.

The announcement came after single-digitincreases of infections were reported the past week in the country, and theThai government has yet to decide whether to extend the emergency decree whichexpires on May 31.

Meanwhile, an opinion survey released by theNational Institute of Development Administration on May 17 show that a majorityof Thais want the emergency decree to be lifted now as the COVID-19 situationhas been much improved.

The poll was conducted on May 11-13 on 1,259people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupationthroughout the country.

A majority, 57.74 percent, of the respondentssaid they want the emergency decree to be lifted. In contrast, 15.15 percentleaned against the proposal to lift the decree, and 25.74 percent were stronglyagainst it, saying they want to make sure there would not be a second wave ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand did not record any COVID-19 infectionsor deaths on May 16, keeping the number of cases at 3,025, including 56deaths./.
VNA

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