COVID-19: Thailand records two new cases, zero deaths

Thailand has reported two new COVID-19 cases, all Thai nationals who returned from overseas, over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 3,121 cases, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Its assistant spokeswoman, Dr Panprapa Yongtrakul said, the two new cases were a 22-year-old male student who returned from Saudi Arabia and a 31-year-old female who came back from the Netherlands.

She said no fatalities were reported over the same period, keeping the death toll at 58.

“Thailand has recorded no new local transmission for 15 consecutive days.

“A country will be considered as ‘low risk’ after no local transmission for two incubation periods, 28 days,” she said at a COVID-19 daily briefing here today.

She urged the people to continue to wear face masks, observe social distancing and practise hand hygiene as most COVID-19 cases in the kingdom now are asymptomatic.

A total of 2,973 of the 3,121 cases have recovered and were discharged from hospitals.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan o-cha reiterated that there is no political agenda if the government extends the state of emergency, which is slated to expire on June 30.

He said many would think the government should lift the state of emergency as the kingdom had reported zero local transmission for 15 days.

“The government does not want to obstruct the people (rights and freedom). However, there must be a tool (law) for the relevant authorities to control and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic under the same standard (emergency decree),” he said after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting at government house today.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the government is considering to reopen the country’s borders, with priority to COVID-19-free countries, in the third or final quarter of this year.

He said relaxation of inbound travel restrictions will boost the tourism industry, which has suffered heavily in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

“It doesn’t have to be an entire country -- we can allow visitors from towns or provinces which are free from the coronavirus. Travel restrictions will be gradually eased and foreign visitors are expected to return in the third or fourth quarter of this year,” he said, as quoted by Bangkok Post.

He added that the tourism industry is vital, particularly with regard to economic recovery and development.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) urged the government to reopen its borders to travellers to enter the kingdom for business purposes.

FTI vice-chairman Montri Mahaplerkpong said the border closures have suspended regional trade and business activities. - BERNAMA