Thailand warned of possible long-lasting economic impacts of lockdown reimposition

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 24, 2021 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has warned that Thailand risks long-term economic and social effects if the Government imposes another blockade due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

TCC chairman Sanan Angubolkul gave the warning on January 6 after the Public Health Ministry raised the country’s COVID-19 alert level from 3 to 4 – the second highest level – amid the outbreak of Omicron variant. The ministry also recommended banning inter-provincial travel and gatherings while imposing a work-from-home policy.

Opposing any tightening of restrictions, the TCC pointed out that most people in the country have been fully vaccinated and the healthcare system is far from full capacity.

It urged authorities to focus on advising people to be cautious, applying strict health controls at public venues, and accelerating booster vaccination to reduce infection severity and create herd immunity.

Sanan said that imposing a new lockdown would put the country back to square one.

As of January 6 morning, Thailand logged 2,245,250 COVID-19 cases so far, including 2,185,502 recoveries and 21,780 deaths./.

VNA