Thailand's Covid-19 Infections Increasing

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Out of his Mind: PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says restrictions are likely to be eased by early September 😂

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says disease control measures, including nightly curfews and business closures in Bangkok and other “dark red” zones, are likely to be eased by early September as the Covid-19 infection rate, while still high, is beginning to decline.

The prime minister made the announcement on his Facebook page saying that while the Covid-19 case count has been around 20,000 each day, the outbreak is slowing down, with the number of recoveries each day exceeding the number of new cases. But what is worrying, Prayut says, is the number of deaths. And with the highly-transmissible Delta variant spreading in Thailand, Prayut says the public needs to work together to lower the infection rates, which will then prevent deaths.

The current restrictions and color-coded zoning based off provincial infection rates was extended this week and will remain in place at least until the end of the month. Restrictions include nightly curfews, the suspension of interprovincial public transportation, and numerous closures in “dark red” zones like Bangkok. If the Covid-19 situation improves by the end of the month, the restrictions are likely to be eased by early September, Prayut says.
The prime minister outlined guidelines recommended by the Public Health Ministry to help lower the infection rate. He says those who have visited high-risk locations or believe they may have come into contact with someone infected with Covid-19 should either test themselves with an antigen test kit (ATK) or seek medical attention at a local hospital.

Guidelines recommended by the Public Health Ministry…

1. Only leave the house if it is necessary
2. Remain a safe distance at least 1 – 2 metres away from others
3. Wear a mask at all times
4. Wash your hands with soap or use alcohol gel to clean before eating. Also wash or clean your hands after using the toilet, or after using your hand to cover your mouth and nose after sneezing or coughing.
5. Avoid touching your face or your mask
6. People in the high risk groups, people over 60s and people with chronic diseases should avoid going out
7. Clean or disinfect areas that you have touched before leaving
8. Separate all personal items. Do not share items with others. For instance, don’t use the same glass
9. Recommended to eat only hot or freshly cooked food and sit separately. However, if you are sharing a meal in a bowl or plate, use a separate spoon.

[Pegasus]

Field hospital raided after reports of Covid patients doing drugs, having group sex

Police raided a field hospital in central Thailand after reports that the Covid-19 patients were doing drugs and having orgies. A staff member at the field hospital in Samut Prakan, just southwest of Bangkok, told police the patients engaging in group sex and getting into fights where some patients were injured.

Officers from the Internal Security Operations Command dressed in personal protective gear raided the Samut Pra Ruamjai 5 where around 1,000 patients infected with Covid-19 are being treated. No illegal drugs were found, but officers did find 23 cartons of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, which they say, were smuggled into the facility.

Officials reviewed surveillance camera footage. Male and female patients are seen going to each other’s wards. It also appeared that some were doing drugs, but the footage is not clear and the patients could not be identified.

[Pegasus]

Restrictions eased in “dark red” provinces; new “Covid Free” initiative

Disease control measures are easing in Thailand’s “dark red” provinces, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced today. Starting September 1, the ban on interprovincial public transportation will be lifted, restaurants will be allowed to offer dine-in services, and other businesses will be allowed to reopen. The 9:00 pm to 4:00 am stay-at-home order in the “dark red” zones remains in effect, according to the Thai government’s news bureau.

The CCSA is also starting a new initiative they call “Covid Free Setting,” requiring customers and staff at “high risk” establishments in “dark red” zones to be vaccinated, or test negative for the virus, to be classified as “Covid Free.” Residents who are fully vaccinated will be eligiable for a so-called “Green Pass” while those who test negative, or recently recovered for the virus, can get a “Yellow Pass.”

Businesses and other venues are also advised to abide by the “Universal Prevention Guidelines” (listed below), according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Information News Division director, Pensom Lertsithichai, who gives the CCSA report in English.

She added that “businesses and organisations that are ready to comply with ‘Covid Free’ settings and these ‘Universal Prevention Guidelines’ may resume their operations as of next month, or September.” In today’s general CCSA meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, officials reviewed the current measures and decided to ease measures. Pensom says Thai officials are shifting their focus to work on ways the public can safely live with the presence of the coronavirus rather than trying to completely eradicate it.

Under a model the CCSA is calling “Smart Control and Living with Covid-19,” Pensom says “we are preparing the country for a gradual return to the ‘new normal’ where we learn to co-exist with Covid-19 as we continue our daily lives as normal as possible, also as safely as possible.” While many people infected with Covid-19 have little to no symptoms, those who are those who are over 60 years old, are pregnant, or have certain underlying health conditions are at risk of severe infection, Pensom says, adding that disease control measures are still needed.

Restrictions eased in “dark red” zones

• Interprovincial travel
  Interprovincial public transportation, which has been banned in “dark red” zones, will be allowed to resume services starting on September 1. Transportation services will need to operate at 75% of its maximum capacity. Passengers are required to wear masks at all times and the consumption of food and drinks is not allowed. The spokesperson says vans and buses should stop every couple of hours to open the doors and windows to circulate the air.
• Restaurants
  Restaurants will be allowed to reopen for dine-in services. Restaurants that are either outdoor or have good air circulation can offer dine-in services at 75% of its maximum capacity. Indoor restaurants can offer the services at 50% of its maximum capacity.
• Shopping centres
  Shopping centres can operate as normal, but some services are restricted. Barber shops and hair salons can only open for haircuts, but can only offer the service up to an hour per customer. Massage parlours can only offer foot massages. Beauty clinics can open to sell products, but cannot offer services. Fitness and sporting facilities outside shopping centres can reopen, but cannot host events with spectators.
• Closures
  Schools, cinemas, spas, amusement parks, conference centres, and dining halls must remain closed.

Covid Free Setting

“Dark red” zones

• Customers visiting businesses classified as a “high risk” for Covid-19 transmission must either have a “Green Card,” certifying that they are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, or a “Yellow Card,” declaring that they have either recently recovered from the virus or tested negative.
• Staff at businesses classified as a “high risk” for Covid-19 transmission must be fully vaccinated and undergo an antigen test every week.
• The business or venue must ensure social distancing, have good air circulation, and practice hygiene safety.

“Red” zones

• Staff at businesses classified as a “high risk” for Covid-19 transmission must undergo an antigen test each week. The CCSA also recommends that staff are vaccinated against the coronavirus.
• Customers must abide by the standard health practices including hand washing, social distancing, checking temperatures, and mask wearing.
• The business or venue must ensure social distancing, have good air circulation, and practice hygiene safety.

Other areas

• The CCSA also recommends that staff at businesses classified as a “high risk” for Covid-19 transmission are vaccinated against the coronavirus.
• Customers must abide by the standard health practices including hand washing, social distancing, checking temperatures, and mask wearing.
• The business or venue must ensure social distancing, have good air circulation, and practice hygiene safety.

[Nerd]

“Dark red” zone curfew, other rules remain until September 30.2021

The nightly curfew for the 29 provinces classified as “dark red” zones for high Covid-19 infection rates will remain in place, at least until the end of the month. Those in Bangkok and other “dark red” provinces must stay home from 9pm to 4am, unless travel is essential. In a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration meeting today chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, officials decided to keep the existing measures in place until September 30. The color-coded zoning based on Covid-19 infection rates with 29 provinces classified as “dark red” zones under maximum and strict control, 37 “red” provinces, and 11 “orange” provinces.

Under the Emergency Decree, provincial governments have the power to impose additional measures depending on the local Covid-19 situation.

“Dark Red” zones

Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Pattani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Yala, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Songkhla, Singburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Ang Thong

Measures until September 30…

• Stay at home from 9pm to 4am unless travel is essential.
• No public gatherings of more than 25 people.
• Restaurants can offer dine-in services, but alcohol sales and consumption is not allowed. Indoor restaurants with air conditioning can offer dine-in services at up to 50% of the seating capacity while open-air or outdoor restaurants can offer the services at 75%.
• Stores in shopping centres can reopen, but with limited business operations. Stores must close by 8pm. Tutoring centres, cinemas, spas, amusement parks, fitness centres, swimming pools, conference centres and banquet halls in shopping centres must remain closed.

“Red” zones

Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Champhon, Chiang Rai, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Buriram, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Ranong, Roi Et, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Sa Kaeo, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen

Measures until September 30…

• No public gatherings of more than 50 people.
• Restaurants can offer dine-in services until 11pm. Alcohol sales and consumption at restaurants is not allowed.
• Shopping centres can remain open as usual, but trade promotion activities and events are not allowed.

“Orange” zones

Krabi, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Bueng Kan, Phayao, Phang Nag, Phrae, Phuket, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Surat Thani

Measures until September 30…

• No public gatherings of more than 100 people.
• Restaurants can offer dine-in services as normal, but alcohol sales and consumption is not allowed.
• Shopping centres can open as normal, but arcades, game centres, and amusement parks must remain closed.