20 September 2024

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) will decide on Thursday (October 14th) whether to ease the semi-lockdown restrictions further after the first set of easing has seen decreased infections and mortality rates, although infections are increasing in a limited number of areas.

Apart from the current measures being reconsidered, the CCSA will also decide on finalised details of the reopening of some provinces on November 1st. Numbers aren’t the only factor, however, and if the is a rapid increase in infections, easing of lockdown measures will have to be reconsidered.

According to CCSA Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan, while preparations are being made for reopening tourism in some provinces, a specified proportion of the provinces’ population must be vaccinated and evidence presented to the CCSA committee.

The CCSA announced on September 27th, the reopening on November 1st of Bangkok, Krabi, Phang-nga, Prachuap Khiri Khan (only Hua Hin and Nong Gae), Phetchaburi (only Cha-am), Chonburi (only Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Jom Thien, Bang Sare), Ranong (Koh Phayam), Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Doi Tao districts), Loei (Chiang Khan) and Buriram (Muang district).

In the case of the Phuket “sandbox” project, over 40,000 tourists have arrived and 100, or 3%, tested positive for COVID-19. Phuket province has also been able to control the epidemic in the community.