Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Health has stated the need to return to quarantine, thereby cancelling the current Test and Go program. He stated that this is due to the rise of infections of the Omnicron variant.
On December 20, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health gave an interview through the program “In depth throughout Thailand, Inside Thailand” about the way to deal with Omnicron COVID variant. He stated that he has given the policy to the executives of the Ministry of Public Health that there would be a need to return to use State Quarantine or hotel quarantine for travellers, both Thai and foreigners who are entering the country.
Initially, the Ministry of Public Health will propose to cancel Test & Go (T&G) travel and switch to state quarantine instead, which will be discussed soon. Due to the situation of Omicron becoming more severe as well as many countries having canceled the New Year’s countdown festival. As of now, Thailand has found 63 Omicron cases and 20 are pending confirmation of the results.
Mr. Anutin further said that among the number of Omicron infections, it could be that the first case of domestic transmission has occurred due to a pilot’s wife being infected. Further investigations into her situation are underway. to confirm such assumptions
The reporter from the program asked if there will there be other levels of prevention as well? Mr. Anutin said that the control of the disease has been decentralised to the local and provincial area. It will depend on the policy of each area, for example Bangkok may have to consider reorganising activities during the festive season in consideration of the risk of spreading infection.
This is a developing story
