Department of Health urges public to stay safe during Chinese New Year

Sirakij Pornbanggird

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is concerned that during the Chinese New Year, there may be a high risk of Coronavirus spreading at large family gatherings. The ministry has suggested members of the public be cautious during the holidays.

 

Director General of the Department of Health Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai noted that during this week, the Chinese New Year festival will be celebrated, and many Thai-Chinese people will gather with their families to take part in the ancient ritual. With a lot of people gathering together, there is a high possibility of the virus spreading. The department has warned people who are going to attend festivities to be careful, and strictly follow all COVID-19 measures.

 

Besides the festival, a 3-day holiday is also approaching. Many people are expected to travel to tourist attractions around the country. Anyone from high control areas is asked to report to officers at checkpoints for basic screenings and to supply any information requested.

 

Meanwhile, the atmosphere surrounding those shopping for the Chinese New Year has mostly been subdued.

 

A survey of Bangkok residents’ purchasing intentions for the 2021 Chinese New Year Festival conducted by Kasikorn Research Center, has indicated that there will be less spending especially on travel, making merit, and giving red envelopes. Regardless of the relaxation of strict COVID-19 measures in the hope of helping economic regeneration by allowing more activities to be enjoyed, the festival won’t be as busy as normal, while purchasing power is still low.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-02-08

 

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So; Prayut is telling people to go out and spend,spend, spend to help the economy and the Department of Health is pretty much telling people to do the opposite...'Stay Safe'....in other words don't bother with family gatherings or doing much....stay indoors and stay safe.  We will follow the DOH's advice and do some gardening !

Did I smoke too much last night and somehow wake up in Communist China? Why on earth would most Thais care about Chinese New year? They already celebrate 31st Dec & Songkran, why not add a third? Why Prayut keeps giving holidays is beyond my understanding.

 

Regular folk (non-goverment employees) don't get public holidays anyway, only government workers. Teachers and students have enough holidays already that they're hardly in school at all. And Thailand wonders why it's slipping further and further down the education tables.

30 minutes ago, webfact said:

With a lot of people gathering together, there is a high possibility of the virus spreading. The department has warned people who are going to attend festivities to be careful, and strictly follow all COVID-19 measures.

 

 

But, but, but 

 

Isn't celebrating Chinese New Year after they infected the planet and destroyed Thailand's economy and tourism, a bit the same as celebrating the birthday of a man that just burnt your house down ? 

Stay safe this Chinese New Year, since the last one kicked off a wonderful year of Covid globally ????

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Department of Health urges public to stay safe during Chinese New Year

Yes, I'll do anything to avoid it. 

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Isn't celebrating Chinese New Year after they infected the planet and destroyed Thailand's economy and tourism, a bit the same as celebrating the birthday of a man that just burnt your house down ? 

Rather like the UK does on November 5th?

2 minutes ago, mrfill said:

Rather like the UK does on November 5th?

I have always tended to the view that November 5th (Guy Fawkes Night) marks the last time that an honest man entered the Houses of Parliament!

"Suggested", "urged", "recommended", "requested". The generals have no teeth! STAY HOME! KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE!

2 hours ago, mrfill said:

Rather like the UK does on November 5th?

1. we in the UK didn't invite Guy Fawlkes and his family back every year by the million a a year later though.

2. Guy Fawlkes didn't destroy the UK economy at the time.

 

I declare that everyone's Birthday will now be considered a National Holiday in Thailand.  I mean don't most Thai's already treat their birthday as a National Holiday and party like there is no tomorrow.  Didn't that DJ, DJ Matoom or whatever his name is treat his Birthday as a holiday and become a super spreader?, or maybe that's fake news.

Is thailand part of China?

Beyond me.