CCSA Considers Lowering COVID-19 Alert Status and Easing Restrictions

Officials together with CCSA will meet tomorrow to talk about easing COVID-19 restrictions as infection rates continue to drop.  The CCSA is anticipated to reduce the country’s alert level from 4 to 3.  The alert level was raised to level 4 earlier this month in response to the highly infectious Omicron variant.  This move has been followed by the suspension of the Test & Go entry program.

The country’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul said that the government is open to loosening certain restrictions and extending the sandbox program to other areas.  Currently, the sandbox areas are Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Koh Samui. He added that the program might include Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, as well as the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen and the central province of Samut Prakan where Suvarnabhumi Airport is located.

Officials are likely to discuss the return of Test & Go during tomorrow’s CCSA meeting.  The program’s suspension surprised the tourism industry which was just beginning to take timid steps toward recovery.

According to Anutin, as infection rates continue to decline and the virus is under control, the government will likely reduce Thailand’s alert level from 4 to 3 and changes will apply to provinces’ color-coded zoning.  Easing restrictions in Bangkok will be decided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. However, there is no information if they will include nightclubs and entertainment places on the scheduled meeting, with Anutin firm to his stand that they must remain closed for the time being.

The country reported a total of 2.3 million COVID-19 infections and approximately 22,000 deaths since the pandemic started in 2020.  Two-thirds of Thailand’s population has been vaccinated, with 13.5% receiving their booster jabs.

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Source: Bangkok Post