Bangkok –
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is planning to consider school reopenings and international arrival measures easing after the number of daily infections after the Songkran long holiday so far remains stable.
Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana told the Associated Press today, April 20th, that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha would chair the next CCSA meeting this Friday, April 22nd, to monitor the assessment of the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country during the past Songkran festival, which took place last week and celebrated the Thai New Year, when millions of Thais returned home to spend time with their families and friends.
Initially, the reports revealed that there was a significant improvement in cash flow in the tourism sector. The statistics of daily infections from international arrivals were also few and the domestic number was under control.
Therefore, ease of preventive measures may be considered at the next level and would be discussed with relevant departments at the next meeting to push the economy forward.
The discussion would include the possibility of school reopenings and the readjustment of international entry and departure measures by air, land, and water, Thanakorn stated, by considering the least effect and risk of the outbreak. TPN notes there was no sign of a legal reopening of the bar and nightlife industry, still legally closed and operating as converted “restaurants” with many rules and restrictions, such as early closing times. There was also no discussion around removing or altering a mask mandate that applies even outdoors.
In terms of international arrival measures, Thai officials will discuss the much-maligned Thailand Pass and Test and Go programs, as well as plans for possible adjustments and easing of the programs and, a distant possibility, even removing them entirely. TPN notes it is more likely, however, that the programs are further “softened” by reducing the amount of paperwork, insurance, and testing before complete removal in another “small step” versus a large one, which is consistent with Thailand’s overall direction for months despite larger moves by many other countries.
TPN will provide a full update of the meeting Friday afternoon.
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