Thailand Ministry of Health reports 23,015 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 106 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 27,626 patients recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
Starting next month, the length of the home isolation stay will be reduced from seven days to five days. Director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), Opas Karnkawinpong said that the National Communicable Disease Committee (NCDC) agreed on Monday to reduce the isolation period.
“The decision is in line with the global situation,” Dr. Opas told a media briefing. He added that the people isolated at home are not considered patients. Currently, the procedure is to self-isolate for seven days and further monitor for three days. During the three days, there is allowed freedom of movement but with strict regulations. This includes social distancing and wearing a mask.
Despite the threat of cases surging after the Songkran period, the government understands that they have to reopen as soon as possible to revive the economy. Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the government has to relax rules like other countries. This will help the ailing economy from the pandemic that ruled for 2 years.
The government is set to change the status of COVID-19 from a pandemic to an endemic. This is currently threatened by a spike in cases after the Songkran festival. Also, an emergence of a new variant could stop the status change. Among the things that the government has to continue to push is the vaccination of the population. There are still a number of people who have not received their second dose or booster shot. Another possible threat is the overwhelming of the health care systems due to a large spike in cases.
Any relaxation of rules depends on how the public will cooperate during the Songkran season.