By: Paul Rujopakarn

    

CHONBURI (NNT) - Authorities in Chon Buri province have launched proactive case-finding operations while urging businesses to set up screening checkpoints and test their staff using antigen kits in order to detect and isolate suspected cases.

 

Establishments in Pattaya and Bang Lamung that serve alcoholic beverages and do not conduct antigen tests on staff and patrons have been ordered to close.

 

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, di rector-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said he was concerned about transmissions in the province, as most residents work in factories. Factories are still permitted to operate after New Year’s celebrations, but are urged to conduct antigen tests on their employees.

 

According to Chon Buri’s public health office, the province recorded the largest number of new COVID-19 infections on Sunday at 442. 81% of cases in Bang Lamung district alone were also determined to be the Omicron coronavirus variant.

 

Authorities are meanwhile advising state agencies and private businesses to allow their employees to work from home for at least two weeks amid surging Omicron infections, with over 1,500 nationwide as of New Year’s Day.

 

They are also recommending that people follow Universal Prevention guidelines, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

 

Officials insist, however, that the situation remains under control and there have so far been no severe cases caused by the new variant.

 

According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed agencies to continue closely monitoring the Omicron situation in order to prevent major Omicron outbreaks.

 

The spokesperson added that the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Transport are offering free antigen tests for people returning to Bangkok through the Mo Chit bus terminal and Hua Lamphong railway station.

 

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-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-03

 

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This sounds rather Orwellian!

I dread the approach of obligatory test and isolation if positive...... 

Calm down, it is all going to be Omicron and the signs indicate just a need for tissues.... I hope.

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

81% of cases in Bang Lamung district alone were also determined to be the Omicron coronavirus variant.

That should tell the head honchos in Bangkok and the CCSA that this is spreading fast and they need to test everywhere to get ahead of this.  However, they could care less and will just create more silly restrictions.

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Officials insist, however, that the situation remains under control and there have so far been no severe cases caused by the new variant.

Probably one of the most nonsensical statements ever made by officials. Omicron is not and never can be under control until it burns itself out and infected all it can.

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

According to Chon Buri’s public health office, the province recorded the largest number of new COVID-19 infections on Sunday at 442. 81% of cases in Bang Lamung district alone were also determined to be the Omicron coronavirus variant.

So to limit the spread and contagion rate of the Omicron Virus, it is best to allow a Music festival to go ahead all over the Weekend.

Money above all Health and welfare.

 

2 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

So to limit the spread and contagion rate of the Omicron Virus, it is best to allow a Music festival to go ahead all over the Weekend.

Money above all Health and welfare.

All these tests also send a message as to why bother getting vaccinated when you still have to do an ATK to gain access to anywhere.

11 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

 

All these tests also send a message as to why bother getting vaccinated when you still have to do an ATK to gain access to anywhere.

Because vaccinated people can still be infected with the virus.

 

Vaccination doesn't guarantee you won't get the virus, but it might help relieve your suffering if you do get the virus.

15 minutes ago, redsongthaew said:

Because vaccinated people can still be infected with the virus.

 

Vaccination doesn't guarantee you won't get the virus, but it might help relieve your suffering if you do get the virus.

I do realise this I am double vaccinated, but what I was saying is some people could think why bother if you still have to test and there are many out there who are against vaccinations

"Restaurants that serve alcohol are dangerous places. Restaurants that do not serve alcohol are not dangerous places". Discuss.

2 hours ago, redsongthaew said:

Because vaccinated people can still be infected with the virus.

 

Vaccination doesn't guarantee you won't get the virus, but it might help relieve your suffering if you do get the virus.

Tell us something we don't know.

4 hours ago, Goethe said:

"Restaurants that serve alcohol are dangerous places. Restaurants that do not serve alcohol are not dangerous places". Discuss.

i'd prefer to read your pov first

2 hours ago, losername said:

Tell us something we don't know.

 

22 hours ago, wombat said:

i'd prefer to read your pov first

I was sarcastically pointing out the lack of logic: why does serving alcohol with a meal increase the danger of transmitting COVID? Of course, it does not: the real reason for the regulation is to stop the consumption of alcohol in "restaurants" that are really just places to drink.

I have decided the main purpose of the ever changing rules is just to drive people mad.....And I must say its succeeding quite well... 

On 1/3/2022 at 5:26 PM, ThailandRyan said:

That should tell the head honchos in Bangkok and the CCSA that this is spreading fast and they need to test everywhere to get ahead of this.  However, they could care less and will just create more silly restrictions.

Well if it's any good news, in SA they abandoned tracer apps, and told people not to bother getting tested just to stay home for 5 days and then wear a mask for 3 days, but they also said seek medical treatment if symptoms get worse, over 93 % Omicron was the last count a few days ago and the UK is up there as well, however older people are still at risk of more severe infection. The USA is expected to peek by the end of January and Australia, and by the sounds of this Thailand is getting there as well. 

14 hours ago, Goethe said:

I was sarcastically pointing out the lack of logic: why does serving alcohol with a meal increase the danger of transmitting COVID? Of course, it does not: the real reason for the regulation is to stop the consumption of alcohol in "restaurants" that are really just places to drink.

You answered your own question .....Doesn't the explosion of Covid infections for Banglamung tie in with serving alcohol in the slightest????

On 1/3/2022 at 11:19 AM, jacko45k said:

This sounds rather Orwellian!

I dread the approach of obligatory test and isolation if positive...... 

Calm down, it is all going to be Omicron and the signs indicate just a need for tissues.... I hope.

Hospitalizations are exceeding the new infection rate in New York.

On 1/3/2022 at 5:36 PM, wombat said:

 

Because I haven’t gotten Covid yet, despite engaging in some fairly stupid behavior.

Not a good idea to have a test conducted by the authorities, when a false positive could land you in a hospital for 2 weeks.

52 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

Not a good idea to have a test conducted by the authorities, when a false positive could land you in a hospital for 2 weeks.

Are they actually enforcing that or telling people to go home and stay home for x days or what?

1 hour ago, Danderman123 said:

Hospitalizations are exceeding the new infection rate in New York.

An update I saw recently attributed a few factors to that situation, although I think it was more generally USA..... still some Delta infections in play, and high levels of obesity. 

I am with you in respect that it might be too soon to get the noisemakers out and make celebration just yet!

On 1/3/2022 at 12:09 PM, Geoffggi said:

I do realise this I am double vaccinated, but what I was saying is some people could think why bother if you still have to test and there are many out there who are against vaccinations

What you are saying is that you think some people might be complete idiots.

 

You're probably right.

On 1/5/2022 at 9:48 AM, jacko45k said:

still some Delta infections in play,

 

I would think, a lot more than some.  Delta didn't just go away.