Thailand Ministry of Health reports 25,140 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 89 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 24,854 patients recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
On Friday, the government will consider dropping the on-arrival RT-PCR test requirement for tourists. This is in line with the further plan to ease restrictions towards a full reopening of the country.
Deputy prime minister and public health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul talked about the proposal. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) will submit a proposal to end RT-PCR tests to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
“If approved [by the CCSA], foreign travelers would only need to take antigen tests upon arrival,” Mr. Anutin said.
Director-general of the DDC, Opas Karnkawinpong, said the new rules will apply after the Songkran festival. However, a source at the CCSA said the shift to antigen tests may take effect next month.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will chair the CCSA meeting on Friday to assess the Songkran Covid-19 situation.
Large numbers of people are expected to join the festival this year when they return to their home provinces.
“Precautions will be put in place to prepare for inter-provincial travel and activities during the festival,” Mr. Thanakorn said.
The Director of the DDC’s epidemiology division, Jakkarat Pittayawong-anont said that the Public Health Ministry predicts that the cases would top at 50,000 a day four days after Songkran. This is if there are no precautions taken.
“The situation after Songkran could worsen as a result of social gatherings, inter-provincial travel, and the vulnerability of unvaccinated elderly people being exposed to infections during the festival,” Dr. Jakkarat said.