Passengers' body temperature checked at Phuket International Airport (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of PublicHealth Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that Thailand is in talks for travelbubbles with several countries.
He said on March 24 that those with two COVID-19 jabs will receive acertificate which acts as a vaccine passport to keep them with wherever theygo.
The Southeast Asian country is negotiating with many countries for travelbubbles that will begin operating when more people have been vaccinated.
Thailand kicked off its vaccination programme on February 28, with the first phasecarried out in 13 provinces having the highest rate of infections. It aims toinoculate 10 million doses each month from June.
The Thai Government has secured at least 63 million COVID-19 doses to vaccinatesome 60 percent of its population by the end of this year.
Asmany as 2 million doses of Sinovac vaccine are being shipped to the nationbetween February and April. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca will supply the nation with26 million doses from June to August, and 35 million others from September toDecember.
Thailand has a plan to buy another 5 million doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac forApril-June.
As of March 24, the number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand stood at 28,346cases, including 92 deaths.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has issued strict measures tocontain COVID-19 during the Songkran festival from April 10 to 15. Violatorsmay be imprisoned for up to two years or fined up to 40,000 THB (1,290 USD) orboth.
Traditional Songkranactivities such as religious ceremonies and paying respects to one’s elders canproceed as normal. However, anyactivity with more than 300 persons needs to first gain permission from the BMAdistrict office.
Meanwhile, organisers of any other activitiesduring Songkran, such as a banquet with more than 100 participants, must submitan event plan and disease control measures to the district office before theevent./.
