BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered related agencies to be on high alert for the detection of any COVID-19 cases related to the new Omicron variant of concern.

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered health, security, and tourism authorities to be on high alert for any potential Omicron cases among international arrivals. First reported in Africa, this new variant of concern was named after the Greek alphabet Omicron and is now causing concerns across the globe.

 

Several countries have already reported local cases of the Omicron variant, as well as imposing travel bans on some African countries. Effective from 1 December, travelers from 8 African countries will be barred from traveling to Thailand.

 

Meanwhile, the government is satisfied with the air border reopening, with around 100,000 travelers arriving in Thailand since 1 November, including those serving quarantine at government-certified hotels.

 

So far, some 300,000 people have already applied for Thailand Pass, a digital certificate for health and immunization record required for entry.

 

The government now anticipates that tourism revenue next year will reach 1.5 trillion baht, which is only half of what the industry generated in 2019, while the revenue in 2023 is expected to reach 80% of the 2019 amount, before reaching 3 trillion baht in 2024, which is the same amount the tourism industry generated in 2019.

 

The Prime Minister has on this occasion encouraged the general public to get their full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while continuing to observe the Universal Protection measure. Businesses are encouraged to strictly adhere to the COVID Free Setting guideline to help prevent new outbreaks.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-11-29

 

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Does this mean that the variant would totally be ignore unless the General ordered it monitored?

Move that decimal point back on TAT's arrivals and income calculator again ????

Can't believe that I - and probably most of his opposition Republican party -  can actually agree on something Biden said today on this -  "a cause for concern, but not a cause for panic !!"

 

 

Bright side of this new variant and the boarders being closed again is that I can see Covid extensions at immigration for the rest of 2022.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered related agencies to be on high alert for the detection of any COVID-19 cases related to the new Omicron variant of concern.

Another order from the top....

So, you're telling me they WOULDN'T have monitored the situation until he ordered it so? Give me a break, that no talent narcissistic muppet needs to go!

There must be an election due soon.

The press is giving Uncle Tu a lot of publicity on "Thai PM orders........."

 

Obviously, senior politicians et al cannot do their jobs properly.

The PM is running the country single handed?

He also ordered to fix the air quality in Chiang Mai earlier this year, and we know the result.

Omicron should be easier.

He orders again.

A few days ago, his asked.

Fear not. This order will be as effective as that ensuring lottery tickets are sold retail at the face value.......????