After an assessment of the current situation, the government is considering the possibility of lowering the COVID-19 alert level and easing some restrictions.
Anutin Charvirakul, Minister of Public Health, revealed that the Ministry could lower its COVID alert level from 4 to 3, as the number of severe cases and deaths has decreased in recent weeks and the epidemic is already partially under control. In addition, the Ministry will recommend to the COVID-19 Situation Centre (CCSA) to adjust the colour zone designations for several provinces as well.
According to the Department of Public Health, there are also plans to relax other measures to help revive the economy, including the Test & Go programme, which could resume as early as next month. The Department of Disease Control estimates that the programme could be reintroduced in February if daily infections continue to fall. In addition, the list of approved countries from which travellers can enter Thailand without being quarantined will be determined according to their individual circumstances.
Following the last CCSA meeting on Thursday (20 January), Anutin will consider launching further sandbox programmes in Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai provinces. However, nightclubs, pubs and bars will remain closed until the authorities can guarantee that these venues will not become high-risk areas creating COVID groups when they reopen.
