Thailand’s plan to lift some restrictions in free-virus areas considered

Bangkok (VNA) - The Public Health Ministry of Thailand has proposed five requirements for an exit strategy from the Covid-19 lockdown, starting with 32 provinces.

At a joint meeting between ministry officials and deans of faculties of medicine on how to ease the lockdown, all agreed some measures have to be relaxed although a return to pre-crisis normality is out of the question, the Bangkok Post cited Kamnuan Ungchusak, an adviser to the Disease Control Department and to the public health minister on the Covid-19 situation, as saying.

The meeting came up with five pre-requisites for the exit strategy. They will be proposed to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration for approval.

First, the screening of inbound visitors must remain stringent and facilities for 14-day state quarantine must be ready at all times. Each province must have a laboratory for tests and a system to look for infections among at-risk groups, highly populated communities, labourers and risk areas.

Second, all Thais must agree to observe good hygiene practices such as wearing masks when going to public places, observing social distancing and refraining from assembling. They must also come to terms with the fact that they can no longer lead a normal life after Covid-19.

Third, the private sector, led by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade of Thailand and Federation of Thai Industries, must consider categorising the types of businesses to be reopened based on their risks (high, medium and low) and rethink processes to minimise the risks.

Such changes must be based on four criteria. According to Kamnuan, the private sector must set an appropriate ratio between the number of customers and a service area unit. Activities must not involve shouting or a lot of verbal exchange. The places of business must be airy and well ventilated. Distancing within a service area must also be defined.

Fifth, the country must have in place a realtime monitoring system for infections at the national, provincial and district levels so people know the situation in each area.

Kamnuan said he believes that the country will move forward. However, not all 77 provinces will go ahead at the same pace. They will be allowed to reopen based on risks and by area.

Thailand reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 on April 20, lifting the country’s total to 2,792 cases. No new deaths were reported for the third consecutive day, according to the country’s centre for COVID-19 situation administration./.