COVID-19: Thailand extends state of emergency to end of July

Besides reopening more sectors for business, Thailand is scheduled to welcome some foreign travellers including permanent residents, foreign spouses and children of Thai nationals, international students and teachers as well as those who need medical treatment in the kingdom starting tomorrow.

After chairing the cabinet meeting at Government House today, Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the cabinet approved the extension of the state of emergency, which is due to end today, to July 31.

While Thailand's COVID-19 situation has continued to improve with zero local transmissions for more than 30 days, the spread of the infection across the globe remains a concern.

"The government has decided to further ease restrictions and reopen high-risk businesses and venues including schools and entertainment outlets starting tomorrow. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the state of emergency as it is a key mechanism to control COVID-19 in Thailand," he said at a press conference here.

Thailand declared the state of emergency from March 26 to April 30 over the pandemic, imposing restrictions and measures such as the closure of schools, entertainment outlets and sports stadiums, and banning international and inter-provincial travel.

The state of emergency was extended to May 31 and then to June 30 to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Thailand has reported two new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the tally to 3,171 cases, with 58 fatalities.

The two new cases involve Thai nationals who returned from abroad and are undergoing 14-day quarantine at state facilities.

Today marks the 36th day without local transmission in Thailand.