Thailand reports three new coronavirus cases, as some restrictions ease

 

FILE PHOTO: People in protective masks, who are affected by the government's measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walk in line for free meals distributed by volunteers at a school in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reported three new coronavirus cases and no new deaths on Sunday, as the country started lifting restrictions on some businesses and aspects of life.

 

The new infections marked the lowest number since early March, just before the country started reporting clusters and tolls started rising.

 

Thailand has seen a total of 2,969 coronavirus cases and 54 deaths since the outbreak began in January.

 

New daily infections have stayed in the single digits for a week. The government has allowed some businesses and public parks to reopen on Sunday, as well as resumed alcohol sales.

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-03

 

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Good job, Thailand. Three cases is very low but Vietnam is doing better at 0 cases.

 

Can we reopen most of the the business centers?

3 is a nice number, i don’t expect zero case because Thai people will somehow return from foreign countries weekly.

They don't seem to think it's worthwhile reporting where these 3 new cases are and background. I say it's important

2 in BKK 1 in quarantine Narathiwat 

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

They don't seem to think it's worthwhile reporting where these 3 new cases are and background. I say it's important

Phuket bang tao as usual, reported lots of places. What does it matter? They gonna keep us prisoners indefinately anyway.

Good news, Thailand. Now let's hope there's no spike in new cases over the next couple of weeks as a result of the lifting of restrictions. If new cases stay in single figures until the end of the month then they should be able to loosen things further, maybe open the beaches and pools. Bars are a more difficult problem, sadly, I miss my daily BS session with my mates. 

40 minutes ago, zeamonkey said:

What does it matter?

Useful to know if its very nearby, you don't think so?

Nice photo of all the sheep following each other.  Follow the rules or you’ll be shot

Thai media reported this morning that 40 new positive cases in Yala have been found, this info from Richard Barrow. Guess we'll need to wait for tomorrows figures to see if thats offically confirmed.

2 hours ago, EricTh said:

Good job, Thailand. Three cases is very low but Vietnam is doing better at 0 cases.

 

Can we reopen most of the the business centers?

If countries aren't testing people by the thousands like the USA n others you aren't going to get many unless they are sick n go to the hospital, duh!!! They don't want big groups of people! I was at Big C Shopping Center today May 3rd and it was like the week of Christmas, not a lot of Social Distancing!! Masks n temp checks

Truly stunning 3 from 70 million population!

Or 3 from the 9 tested.

 

Either way!

 

Its amazing dumping bullocks Thailand ...........lets all rejoice!

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

They don't seem to think it's worthwhile reporting where these 3 new cases are and background. I say it's important

Yes they are reporting,, Order MFA Thailand Channel / youtube and you will get daily official english lang covid-19 reports.

thailand has done very well in the management of the corona virus spread.hope it stays low or is eradicated completely.

14 minutes ago, thaitero said:

Yes they are reporting,, Order MFA Thailand Channel / youtube and you will get daily official english lang covid-19 reports.

agreed that information regarding the source will put on guard and hence be beneficial for the community.

31 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Thai media reported this morning that 40 new positive cases in Yala have been found, this info from Richard Barrow. Guess we'll need to wait for tomorrows figures to see if thats offically confirmed.

strange that information is emanating from different sources.

2 hours ago, EricTh said:

Good job, Thailand. Three cases is very low but Vietnam is doing better at 0 cases.

 

Can we reopen most of the the business centers?

go slow and err on the side of caution. businesses should be opened in stages, the last being the places that draw huge density crowds.

2 hours ago, kevin612 said:

3 is a nice number, i don’t expect zero case because Thai people will somehow return from foreign countries weekly.

it would be best to quarantine all returning citizens. do not take chances at this stage because you need only one mistake and clusters can reappear.

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

They don't seem to think it's worthwhile reporting where these 3 new cases are and background. I say it's important

1 was from quarantine and the other 2 are in BKK having had close contact with another infected person.

Yah, really. 3 from 70 mill. Seems about right. You don't test, you ain't gonna know. 3 seems like a nice enough figure for a Sunday.

 

Tomorrow's random number is .... how about an 8. Nice enough number ... what a total load of bo**ocks 

12 minutes ago, sahibji said:

it would be best to quarantine all returning citizens. do not take chances at this stage because you need only one mistake and clusters can reappear.

All returning citizens are put into mandatory state quarantine for 14 days.  Been doing that for a while and will continue.

Thai media should stop spreading this type of fake news. 40 cases in Yala?

 

This type of double digit number is not allowed, Thailand's schedule now is in single digits, as dictated by the Central Comittee.

JJ market today was over the top paranoid. Lines to wash hands, one way in one way out and only a few sellers with not too much to sell. They said we have a system, yes but not a good one... Go to the markets and it is crowded lots of sellers and 1 checkpoint at 3 entrances. The temples are very sad to see people lined up together for food for kilometers. Who is checking these places is what I would like to know.

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

Good news, Thailand. Now let's hope there's no spike in new cases over the next couple of weeks as a result of the lifting of restrictions. 

Not likely. It takes longer than two week for the R0 that has been restored to pre-lockdown figures to do it's "magic". The most important mitigation, testing & tracking, which should have been developed during the lockdowns, is nowhere to be seen.

 

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-the-hammer-and-the-dance-be9337092b56

 

 

We got hammered, but there's no dance. Usurpers wasted the time bought with the economic crash.

39 minutes ago, thaitero said:

Yes they are reporting,, Order MFA Thailand Channel / youtube and you will get daily official english lang covid-19 reports.

Not in this article

24 minutes ago, sahibji said:

strange that information is emanating from different sources.

Not in the least. Local Thai "autorities" are eager for their place in the spotlight. The lure of the microphone is irresistible to Thais.

 

Crossreferencing those positive results is like playing BS bingo in a company meeting.

48 minutes ago, thaitero said:

Yes they are reporting,, Order MFA Thailand Channel / youtube and you will get daily official english lang covid-19 reports.

I'm going to try this one for those talking head shows: 

 

Once it's avaiable as text it can be ripped apart. Which is probably why they opt for a format that's harder to quote.

 

Quote

good afternoon today is Sunday May the
00:08
3rd 2020 and this is the
00:10
english-language summary of the daily
00:13
press briefing of the Center for kovat
00:15
situation administration or CCS a once
00:18
again today we had some special guests
00:22
coming to the press briefing to give
00:25
some information including the supreme
00:28
commander of the Armed Forces the
00:30
Permanent Secretary of Interior as well
00:32
as the permanent secretary of the
00:34
Ministry of Transport so just to remind
00:37
that of course the case is different
00:40
situations around the world are fluid
00:42
there have been news of course in some
00:46
countries opening up easing the lockdown
00:49
- too quickly and that has caused an
00:51
effect on the situation such as in
00:54
Hokkaido in Japan where in the World
00:56
Health Organization has actually warned
00:59
and given advice to various countries
01:01
around the world against having a
01:03
lockdown which is eased up to -
01:07
prematurely so right now we are in the
01:10
first stage of restrictions easing which
01:13
is which begins today and the details of
01:16
which can will be shown to you on screen
01:18
on a slide in summary the certain
01:21
essential businesses could reopen and
01:23
certain activities would be permitted
01:26
however we reiterate that everyone has
01:29
to continue to observe the health
01:31
guidelines maintaining physical
01:33
distancing wearing masks all the time
01:36
and washing hands often and avoid being
01:38
in congested places yes you have a slide
01:41
on screen for you which we actually
01:43
elaborated on yesterday in addition to
01:46
you this please be advised you check
01:48
with your provincial administration
01:49
first for the different possible
01:52
possibly different regulations and the
01:54
implementation of the CCSA's guidelines
01:57
is the authority of each province for
02:01
instance Bangkok Metropolitan
02:02
administration has announced the
02:05
regulations regarding the businesses and
02:07
resumption of certain activities as well
02:09
so in Bangkok the restaurants must
02:12
regularly check
02:14
with employees and patrons for fever
02:16
this is advised for all restaurants and
02:19
customers coming in groups are advised
02:22
to sit separately to maintain physical
02:24
distancing markets have to be setting a
02:28
maximum number of customers that they
02:30
could serve in a given time and
02:32
customers and vendors must go through
02:33
the temperature check while barber shops
02:36
and salons could perform offer the
02:40
following services are cutting trimming
02:42
washing and styling and also keep a
02:44
record of the customers that has to be
02:47
kept as for the beauty and weight loss
02:50
clinics which are remained closed other
02:53
types of clinics could reopen in
02:55
accordance with the guidelines of the
02:57
Ministry of Public Health the parks can
02:59
reopen with walking jogging and cycling
03:01
allowed but no group no team or
03:04
competitive sports are allowed to please
03:07
follow these rules strictly as
03:09
cooperation is essential and it would be
03:12
successful with your cooperation with
03:14
your help
03:15
and normalcy can return in due course so
03:18
before moving to other issues just to
03:19
clarify once again some points on easing
03:21
of these regulations of course Rick
03:24
stand alone restaurants can resume their
03:26
dine there dining dining options that
03:29
that means sign channel meaning that was
03:31
located outside malls and restaurants
03:34
located in commercial spaces or office
03:36
buildings considered to be a community
03:39
malls are treated in the same way as
03:41
malls so the food sold in these
03:43
restaurants are permitted for takeout
03:45
and delivery only and as of today the
03:49
sales of alcoholic beverages is resumed
03:52
but it must be only for home consumption
03:56
no gathering no consumption in public
03:58
places and no consumption in restaurants
04:01
and of course as mentioned check with
04:03
the provincial authorities for
04:04
enforcement the authorities have
04:08
undertaken regular monitoring since
04:11
yesterday and also today with yesterday
04:13
the supreme commander of the Thai armed
04:15
forces visiting shopping malls a say on
04:19
paragon in Bangkok do you inspect
04:21
whether all the regulations are observed
04:23
and in advance of today's restriction so
04:25
you have an image
04:27
screen today of that visit to Paragon
04:30
Paragon mall
04:31
in Bangkok by the supreme commander of
04:33
the Armed Forces in his capacity as the
04:35
chief the head of the operation center
04:38
for security issues and what was found
04:41
was that Paragon mall maximized the
04:45
sanitation in all points of contact and
04:47
therefore was up to the standards using
04:50
innovation and health safety so these
04:53
were kind of visits for monitoring the
04:56
enforcement of measures is very
04:58
important and will be continued in
04:59
establishments other shopping malls and
05:01
other business establishments the
05:06
supreme commander also talked about
05:09
easing the restrictions which is for the
05:13
well-being of business and economic
05:15
sustainability but still for inter
05:20
provincial travel while the restrictions
05:24
are relaxed everyone has to abide by the
05:27
regulations and ultimately it is not a
05:30
sign that we can be complacent the for
05:36
inter provincial travel to continue on
05:38
that it's essential that you avoid
05:39
travel to other provinces at the moment
05:42
except in the case of absolute necessity
05:45
and I repeat absolute necessity so
05:47
please check with your home province and
05:49
destination province for the specific
05:52
regulations the general principle is
05:56
that you have to have reasons and
05:58
documents for traveling intervenes and
06:01
the general principle is also that when
06:03
you travel the quarantine might have to
06:06
be applied in terms of your final
06:09
destination but of course that would be
06:11
up to you each province for each local
06:14
quarantine available at the final
06:15
destination but if the visit is for a
06:18
short period of time like for two or
06:20
three days certain provinces will have
06:22
registration mechanisms to register and
06:25
track your movements within that
06:29
province and so as to avoid any spread
06:31
of kovaydin also we had the permanent
06:35
secretary of transport as I mentioned so
06:38
he summarized that people are advised
06:41
to recommended to postpone any and all
06:46
trips and there must be adequate reasons
06:48
to travel as I mentioned and of course
06:52
the quarantine would take into account
06:54
the the local quarantine in the final
06:56
destination would take into account the
06:58
duration of your trip and that any
07:03
quarantine conducted will depend on your
07:05
final destination and your length of
07:07
stay as well so moving on to the general
07:16
situation and the number of cases that
07:20
we have we have a report to you today
07:23
three new cases two in Bangkok from
07:26
close contact and one from state
07:28
quarantine making the queue accumulated
07:31
accumulated total in two thousand nine
07:33
hundred and sixty nine as you see on the
07:35
slide on screen and from this number
07:38
ninety two percent have recovered or
07:41
been discharged and new fatalities zero
07:44
which is very good to hear the
07:47
spokesperson also talked about the
07:49
active case finding in yala province
07:53
where a certain number of people were
07:56
found to have a CO vid yet these persons
08:00
have not exhibited any symptoms so the
08:04
cases have to be double-check and they
08:07
are in the process of verification and
08:10
analysis before further confirmation so
08:14
this is a actually piece of information
08:17
that proves that active case finding is
08:20
working there continues to be in the
08:22
case of Y Ella local assessment it has
08:25
been reported in the news that around 40
08:27
have contracted Kovan in this group of
08:30
active case finding in in yalla but as
08:33
mentioned we would have to confirm this
08:35
through assessment within today and will
08:38
report to you in due course for the
08:42
enforcement of curfew we have violations
08:45
in terms of leaving residences 515 and
08:48
gatherings 107 making the total 622
08:53
violations we
08:54
mentioned this everyday because it does
08:57
have a bearing it does have an effect on
08:59
the assessment that we have and the
09:02
measures that will be announced for the
09:04
second phase as you know we're in the
09:06
first phase of easing right now so
09:08
towards the second phase we will take
09:09
all this information for assessment for
09:13
the issue of Thai nationals repatriation
09:16
we have for today three flights from
09:20
Russia from Spain Madrid Spain and from
09:23
Singapore the flight from Madrid Spain
09:26
taking home nationals Thai nationals
09:28
from various countries in Europe you can
09:32
see that on the slide and for tomorrow
09:34
we have two flights from Hong Kong SAR
09:38
and from maldives the one from maldives
09:41
taking back Thai nationals including
09:44
tourists and those affected by closures
09:46
of businesses so to date we have
09:50
assisted a total number of 3,000 981
09:53
high Nationals by air repent a
09:56
repatriation from 23 countries and
09:59
territories around the world so we will
10:02
continue to do this as it is a part of
10:04
our responsibility and mission so moving
10:08
on to the facilitation of repatriation
10:11
of Thai nationals abroad the Foreign
10:14
Ministry's continues to provide this
10:16
assistance we have some images for you
10:18
as always first is the Royal Thai
10:22
consulate general in Sydney Australia
10:23
reaching out to the Thai community and
10:28
that will be continued in the days to
10:31
come also images from the Royal Thai
10:33
Embassy in Kuwait reaching out to Thai
10:37
workers providing 450 sets of supplies
10:40
and necessities for and they're also
10:42
discussing with business owners to enjoy
10:45
the ensure the hygienic working
10:47
environment and accommodation for Thai
10:49
workers they are also the Royal Thai
10:52
Embassy in neuro Sultan Kazakhstan
10:55
successfully facilitated the return to
10:58
thailand of Thai nationals in stranded
11:01
in western kazakhstan and is the
11:03
first-ever repatriation flight out of
11:06
central asia
11:09
we received inquiries on social media
11:13
and we will address some of these each
11:16
day one question was about the return of
11:19
foreign nationals with work permits as I
11:22
had addressed some days ago that is
11:25
under discussion so there was an inquiry
11:28
about an individual who has a retirement
11:31
visa and re-entry permit currently in
11:34
Malaysia and we wanted to return through
11:37
ha GI and fly to Chiang Mai and the
11:40
question was that if he can do that and
11:43
self quarantine at home in Chiang Mai
11:45
and when that can be done so all Thai
11:48
and foreign nationals who enter the
11:50
kingdom must undergo in the mandatory
11:52
14-day quarantine in facilities arranged
11:56
by the state and for the time being only
11:59
Thai nationals are permitted to cross
12:01
the border the LAN border for the
12:04
purpose of limiting infection risks and
12:07
disease control foreign nationals who
12:09
have the urgency or a necessity to
12:12
travel into Thailand at this moment
12:13
today should contact the embassies and
12:18
consulates for further further
12:20
information and of course as mentioned
12:22
the consideration on this manner is
12:24
ongoing until the situation improves and
12:28
we reach the next step of easing of the
12:31
measures perhaps in phase 2 so we ask
12:34
for your patience and kindly follow the
12:37
information from the si si si and
12:39
official sources for updates another
12:44
inquiry received was on the easing of
12:47
restrictions whether condominiums with
12:50
swimming pools fall under the sports and
12:53
recreation category under the six types
12:55
of business businesses and activities
12:58
allowed to reopen actually these
13:00
swimming pools in condominiums are not
13:02
included this category covers public
13:05
facilities public parks and outdoor
13:08
sporting venues such as golf as
13:12
mentioned in other sports as we
13:13
mentioned yesterday with the exception
13:15
of a team in competition or close
13:17
contact sports that is not allowed
13:20
another question was on public beaches
13:23
do they fall under the sports and
13:26
recreation under the six type of
13:28
businesses allowed to open for four
13:30
beaches so for that beaches of course
13:33
you have to check the regulations with
13:35
each province with the information
13:38
provided by the Ministry of Interior on
13:40
their on their website public beaches
13:43
which mostly of course are outside
13:44
Bangkok in the provinces
13:46
so as a concluding note just to recap
13:49
that the World Health Organization
13:52
recommended that the easing up of
13:56
restrictions or the opening up of lock
14:00
downs if it's done too fast of course
14:01
that can have an effect on the control
14:05
of CO vide so we have to be careful of
14:08
not doing that too much or too early and
14:10
that is a call from the World Health
14:13
Organization that many countries are
14:15
listening to so for Thailand first phase
14:18
and we'll do it slowly but surely so of
14:21
course your health and it is your
14:24
responsibility to yourself and to others
14:26
please don't forget all the measures
14:28
that we repeat and say to you every day
14:31
this is the first day of certain easing
14:35
of restrictions as you know so please
14:39
bear with us please let me be one in in
14:42
enforcing all these restrictions or
14:45
these easing up according to the
14:46
measures announced so we reiterate that
14:49
all guidelines might should not be taken
14:52
lightly one misstep could undo all the
14:57
work all the efforts that we have done
14:59
so as as customers of businesses you
15:01
need to be cautious and follow the
15:03
measures implemented by the restaurants
15:06
the supermarkets and other
15:08
establishments and as business vendors
15:10
restaurant owners and owners of
15:12
businesses that are reopening you have
15:15
the responsibility to your customers and
15:18
your staff to keep them safe and prevent
15:20
them from the spread of the virus so
15:22
therefore your cooperation is very
15:25
essential so everyone please have a
15:28
healthy and restful Sunday continue to
15:31
be cautious and mindful of others
15:34
and thank you very much study cup cup
15:37
including the captain

 

Yes, cup cup captain. There is no hope.

26 minutes ago, sahibji said:

thailand has done very well in the management of the corona virus spread.hope it stays low or is eradicated completely.

I think it's great news that the cases are almost gone in Thailand. Good news for the poor locals that need to earn a little money to survive. I am not Thai bashing but I don't think they have managed it any differently from all the other countries really, in fact they did many silly things with freedom of movement for people, especially from Chinese tourists and also a mass migration of people back to villages all over the country. I think it has more to do with the climate, we now know the virus does not do so well in hot, humid conditions and right now it is very hot and humid in Thailand. Either way the result is good news for everyone living there. 

It seems it's not only the Thai government that needs to give approval on the easing of restrictions.   The provincial governments need to as well.   In Buriram, we are still not permitted to buy alcohol.

1 hour ago, Cali farong said:

Nice photo of all the sheep following each other.  Follow the rules or you’ll be shot

no sheep. just resonsible adults who are united in their handling of a pandemic. and when it comes to "shooting" its more likely some unruly deranged western citizen will do it. Some conspiracy nutcases even started to burn down 5g towers. 

GLAD I AM IN THAILAND DURING THIS CRISIS.