COVID-19: Thailand records 3 weeks zero local transmission

Thailand has reported zero new cases and fatalities over the last 24 hours with total cases remaining at 3,135 and 58 deaths. A total of 2,987 patients has recovered and were discharged from hospitals while 90 remain warded.

Today marks the fourth stage of relaxation in the kingdom as 'high-risk' businesses and venues such as schools with less than 120 students, tuition centres, playgrounds, amusement parks, daycare centres for children and elderly, seminars, conferences, concerts and sports competitions without spectators resume operations. However, pubs, bars and karaoke outlets remain closed.

Meanwhile, Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said relevant agencies are studying on travel bubbles plan as some countries may face new wave of COVID-19.

He said Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha has agreed in principle on Friday to reopen the borders to foreign visitors by creating travel bubbles with countries that managed to curb the COVID-19.

'We are looking at the best choice for the country. Travel bubbles may mobilise economy and it may pose health risk too. The issue requires careful consideration," he said at a COVID-19 daily briefing here today.

Last Friday, Thaweesilp said travel could be reopened to business travellers and medical visitors who need services and treatment from countries and territories with low rates of COVID-19 such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and some Middle East countries.

A sub-committee will meet on Wednesday to further discuss the matter on concepts, measures and guidelines before taking the proposal to CCSA.

Meanwhile, Prayuth said the government was looking into every detail and aspect when reopening its doors for visitors from selected countries.

"There must be regulations for this before international tourism resumes. We will do it in a step-by-step manner. We will see if the countries that cooperate with us also have collaboration at a city-to-city level. The government is planning this carefully," he said, as quoted by Bangkok Post.