Thailand will officially lift its COVID-19 emergency decree at the end of this month, paving the way for millions of people to return to normal life. This move will bring a lot of changes, including the removal of certain travel restrictions.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), which was set up in the wake of the pandemic’s arrival in early 2020, announced last week that the state of emergency will finally be lifted from September 30 because the virus crisis is starting to subside.
This move is in line with the Public Health Ministry’s decision to downgrade COVID-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a monitored communicable disease from October 1. The virus has infected nearly 620 million people worldwide leading to 6.54 million deaths.
The COVID downgrade and lifting of the emergency decree will bring a further and significant easing of restrictions. For instance, travelers will be able to enter Thailand without having to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. People in Thailand, meanwhile, will likely no longer need to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 and have mild or no symptoms.
The National Communicable Disease Committee has ruled that “DMHT” – distancing, mask-wearing, handwashing, and testing – rules are enough to control the spread of COVID-19.
CCSA, which was established in March 2020, will be disbanded at the end of this month. At the peak of the virus crisis, CCSA served as a guide by offering useful advice and updates at its daily press conferences.
Udom said that about 14,000 people per day register positive ATK tests. The actual number of daily cases is almost certainly many times higher, given that many people choose to keep their positive tests private and administer self-treatment. After dealing with the crisis for two years now, most healthy people in Thailand have realized that symptoms can usually be treated with basic medicines.
By Thai PBS World’s General Desk
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