Outbreak easing, strict controls might lift next month, says PM

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand’s Covid-19 outbreak is easing as new infections fall in controlled areas, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday. Speaking after the weekly videoconference Cabinet meeting, Prayut said a decision on whether to ease tight restrictions would be made according to an evaluation at the end of this month.

 

Prayut also revealed that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine purchased by the government will gain approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week. He confirmed that the private sector could also import vaccines, but only vaccines approved by the FDA.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401476

 

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3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Prayut said a decision on whether to ease tight restrictions would be made according to an evaluation at the end of this month.

endless 'maybes' from low IQ leaders are not confidence-builders

Oh Happy Dayz Are Here Again! 
"Ah huh."

This seems to be the opposite of what Dr Taweesilp of the CCSA was saying today. He said that he's very worried by the situation in both Samut Sakhon and Bangkok West. Is Mr P even talking to his expert advisors, let alone listening to them? 

Prior to Chinese New Year I would guess.  

One would hope they would lift the restrictions in those provinces where there have been no or minimal cases recently. Which is most of the 28.

 

My province had all of 2 cases and there have been no new ones, yet schools are closed and other restrictions in place. Same applies to many other provinces.

 

Continuing Samut Sakhon restrictions makes sense.

And sometime later, some tests will see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease, then sometime later they will do some more tests and see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease again, then ......

 

For ever and ever, amen.

 

 

8 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

And sometime later, some tests will see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease, then sometime later they will do some more tests and see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease again, then ......

 

For ever and ever, amen.

 

 

 

it will be known as rolling lockdowns for flare up areas. 

No recorded 2nd wave cases in Sisaket province and I'm not aware of any restrictions having been imposed, other than national edicts like Prayut's exhortation to avoid social groupings which might lead to the spread of infectious diseases (or something wafflingly similar to that). Schools, in my amphur at least, have been on a 2 week covid break since New Year, but went back on Monday.

 

Other national edicts, like installing border controls with health checks and reason for travel audits, have been ignored AFAIK. Same same as in the first wave - edicts without implementation! However 95%+ of people have been wearing masks (properly) when out and about in town and even seen in villages - significantly more compliant than in the 1st wave. Everyone is conscious of the threat of virus being imported from Central Thailand provinces.

12 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

No recorded 2nd wave cases in Sisaket province and I'm not aware of any restrictions having been imposed, other than national edicts like Prayut's exhortation to avoid social groupings which might lead to the spread of infectious diseases (or something wafflingly similar to that). Schools, in my amphur at least, have been on a 2 week covid break since New Year, but went back on Monday.

 

Other national edicts, like installing border controls with health checks and reason for travel audits, have been ignored AFAIK. Same same as in the first wave - edicts without implementation! However 95%+ of people have been wearing masks (properly) when out and about in town and even seen in villages - significantly more compliant than in the 1st wave. Everyone is conscious of the threat of virus being imported from Central Thailand provinces.

I've got a few friends now in self isolation for not abiding by the restrictions.  Attending large, indoor birthday parties.  A CV19 carrier was present at both and now many are in self quarantine and being checked on a regular basis by the health care volunteers.  One is over 80 and really scared now.

1 minute ago, Jeffr2 said:

I've got a few friends now in self isolation for not abiding by the restrictions.  Attending large, indoor birthday parties.  A CV19 carrier was present at both and now many are in self quarantine and being checked on a regular basis by the health care volunteers.  One is over 80 and really scared now.

Lest it be thought I am a Covid sceptic or breaker of rules I am the main organiser of a social drinking and running group - Ubon Hash House Harriers. Following the Prayut announcement about social group restrictions (perhaps my use of the 'waffle' reference was misplaced) we cancelled our 'runs' until further notice. We feel that the risks are relatively low in this part of Thailand but the potential penalties for foreigner organisers if a remote risk were to convert to an out-break could be huge.

Restricting the entire Bkk metropolis causing huge economic hardship seems disproportionate. Surely better to focus on the areas of the city  near Samut Sakhon or where there are outbreaks.

 

Nighttime economy which employs a huge number of people is on the floor

5 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

Lest it be thought I am a Covid sceptic or breaker of rules I am the main organiser of a social drinking and running group - Ubon Hash House Harriers. Following the Prayut announcement about social group restrictions (perhaps my use of the 'waffle' reference was misplaced) we cancelled our 'runs' until further notice. We feel that the risks are relatively low in this part of Thailand but the potential penalties for foreigner organisers if a remote risk were to convert to an out-break could be huge.

In one case, a Thai lady was visiting one of these illegal gambling dens.  Of which there are hundreds in the Kingdom, as you know.  She went to a party, then back to the den, then back to another gathering in the same village.  It caused a huge problem.

 

After hearing this, we're not going to any indoor parties.  Heck, none at all.  Just small groups, outside.  That's it.  I don't want to end up in the ICU with a tube jammed down my throat and a 1MM Baht bill!!!! LOL

 

Congrats to you for your decision.  Not an easy one, but perhaps the right one.

13 hours ago, YetAnother said:

endless 'maybes' from low IQ leaders are not confidence-builders

The global covid situation is about the same length as a piece of string, and as predictable as any national lottery.

People need to learn to live with reality, I doubt the blame game will do much for your confidence.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Prayut said a decision on whether to ease tight restrictions would be made according to an evaluation at the end of this month

I thought he was leaving decisions to individual governors?

Talking about restrictions: What is the point to allow restaurants to serve food, but no alcohol, other than to hurt the restaurant sector even more?

1 hour ago, Thaiophil said:

Restricting the entire Bkk metropolis causing huge economic hardship seems disproportionate. Surely better to focus on the areas of the city  near Samut Sakhon or where there are outbreaks.

 

Nighttime economy which employs a huge number of people is on the floor

I agree, but unless they also restrict movement between areas near Samut Sakhorn and the rest of the city it would be pointless 

14 hours ago, Guderian said:

This seems to be the opposite of what Dr Taweesilp of the CCSA was saying today. He said that he's very worried by the situation in both Samut Sakhon and Bangkok West. Is Mr P even talking to his expert advisors, let alone listening to them? 

So they would keep those areas closed down more and open up areas where there is less infection rate. 

14 hours ago, RickBradford said:

And sometime later, some tests will see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease, then sometime later they will do some more tests and see a few more people test positive, and they will lockdown again. Then it will ease again, then ......

 

For ever and ever, amen.

 

 

You're right. Reminds me of John Cleese in The Out-of-Towners, where he 'explains the rest of your life in 2 minutes' (to an employee who had just flopped). BTW this is not a literal quote, just the gist of it. 

16 hours ago, YetAnother said:

endless 'maybes' from low IQ leaders are not confidence-builders

Would you be so kind as to name all those Western countries whose leaders have done a better job than the Thais in halting the spread of Covid-19????

This is becoming unbearable!  endless waffling, teasing, yes you can, no you can't. 

This is not governing - what tourist would ever waste money coming to a country

which pulls control manoeuvers on a whim.  Such a paternalistic government!

15 hours ago, Guderian said:

This seems to be the opposite of what Dr Taweesilp of the CCSA was saying today. He said that he's very worried by the situation in both Samut Sakhon and Bangkok West. Is Mr P even talking to his expert advisors, let alone listening to them? 

What do you expect from someone who got together with some soldiers, walked in and just took over the country, and everyone else just stood by and let him, now about six years later, apart from a very few deluded people, we can all see how uncapable this Military Academy educated, low IQd unelected "PM" really is.

 

 

11 minutes ago, oslooskar said:

Would you be so kind as to name all those Western countries whose leaders have done a better job than the Thais in halting the spread of Covid-19????

Australia, new Zealand.

Australia has tested 14 million.

How many tested in Thailand?

I still do not believe this when the virus is exponential in every country worldwide that has outbreaks. 
even Japan and South Korea cannot contain the outbreaks they have.

2 hours ago, Thaiophil said:

Restricting the entire Bkk metropolis causing huge economic hardship seems disproportionate. Surely better to focus on the areas of the city  near Samut Sakhon or where there are outbreaks.

 

Nighttime economy which employs a huge number of people is on the floor

All the markets in Don Muang/Laksi area are open at night so perhaps its the centre of the city which is more of a lockdown. Apart from schools being shut life is pretty much the same where I am. 

I suspect the virus will not completly dissapear until vaccine arives, even then there will be people who will have it because they refuse to be vaccinated.

2nd wave? Where was the first one?  Ever seen the surf in Thailand? It's like a ripple in a pond compared to Oahu, California or Western Australia... Same goes for their so called Covid "waves"... ????

 

I am confused. Thai FDA must approve vaccines before they can be used. Yet it bought the suspect (low efficacy) Chinese vaccine and will begin using it on first responders and essential workers next month. How did the FDA approve it as China has not issued any international standard third stage test data and Brazil and other countries count it as dodgy? Also, Thailand has purchased AZ vaccine also probably the least effective of the three international vaccines now approved in other countries for emergency use well before the Thai FDA approved it. How does that work? Finally why has the Thai FDA not approved the highly regarded Pfizer and Moderna vaccines? While it may not choose to purchase them, certainly the private healthcare networks with deep pockets and profit motives would like to get in on this action. Not to mention foreigners who, as of now, have no path to a vaccination. Duh?

2 hours ago, kcpattaya said:

Talking about restrictions: What is the point to allow restaurants to serve food, but no alcohol, other than to hurt the restaurant sector even more?

It's a Thai thing. You've seen Thai males drinking, after a few glasses they're got an arm around the guy next to them, talking loudly directly into his face, after a few more they're become belligerent and shouting at everyone, spraying aerosol droplets everywhere. 

What’s the odds on Sonkran being cancelled for a 2nd year?