There has been a lot of information to digest over the past week, here is our one-stop covid information centre.
Numbers
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 91 more coronavirus cases on Friday with one more fatality bringing the total death toll to five.
The total number of confirmed cases stands at 1,136 patients. Today’s toll was the lowest reporting number in six days.
Of that number 11 people are in serious or critical condition.
Projections
Ministry spokesman Dr Anupong Sujariyakul said that if the current trend continues and government measures are not strong enough Thailand will have around 3,500 cases by the end of April with the majority of cases within the Bangkok metropolitan area.
State of Emergency
The government has declared a State of Emergency in the entire country until April 30. Here are the provisions enacted so far.
- Risky areas, such as sites of prior outbreaks including nightclubs and boxing stadiums, will be closed to the public indefinitely. Provincial governors will have the authority to declare which areas are risky and close them down
- Indefinite closure of places of large gatherings such as schools, universities and entertainment venues
- No hoarding of food, supplies, water, medicine
- No public assembly
- Media that publishes false information run the risk of arrest and closure
- Provincial governors have complete control in their respective provinces
- Persons over 70 years of age or with a history of illness as well as children under five years of age are banned from going outside
- Military on standby and ready to step in should police force require it
- Government and business owners are responsible for disinfecting all locations of gathering
- All social events have not been banned but asked to scale down and be mindful
- Inter-province travel is discouraged
New Travel Restrictions
Thais can travel back to Thailand by air if they have a medical certificate and a letter from their respective Thai embassies.
Visas for tourists and visitors will mostly be suspended except for extraordinary circumstances. (e.g. death of a relative in the country).
Foreigners can enter the country if they:
- Have residency and/or a Thai spouse
- Have a work permit
- Are a diplomat
By Province
Our updated number of cases by region, current as of Thursday afternoon. The cases are currently spread across 52 provinces.
Central region:
Bangkok: 387
Nonthaburi: 52
Samut Prakarn: 27
Pathum Thani: 19
Nakhon Pathom: 8
Petchabun: 5
Sukothai: 3
Saraburi: 3
Lopburi: 2
Suphan Buri: 1
Nakhon Nayok: 1
Nakhon Sawan: 1
Phitsanulok: 1
Ayutthaya: 1
Northern region:
Chiang Mai: 13
Chiang Rai: 3
Phrae: 1
Northeast region
Ubon Ratchathani: 12
Udornthani: 6
Nakhon Ratchasima: 6
Buriram: 5
Surin: 4
Khon Kaen: 2
Roi Et: 2
Sisaket: 2
Kalasin: 2
Loei: 1
Yasothon: 1
Nong Bua Lamphu: 1
Mukdahan: 1
West region
Prachuak Khiri Khan
Kanchanaburi
Ratchaburi
Petchaburi
Tak
East region
Chonburi: 33
Chachoengsao: 11
Sa Kaeo: 5
Rayong: 4
Prachinburi: 3
Chanthaburi: 2
Southern region
Pattani: 26
Phuket: 26
Yala: 20
Songkhla: 16
Surat Thani: 9
Narathiwat: 6
Nakhon Si Thammarat: 5
Krabi: 4
Patalung: 4
Trang: 1
Satun: 1
At-risk website
The ministry also announced on Thursday a new website at (http://covid19.ddc.moph.go.th/en) which shows where the outbreak is, what locations the patients visited, and what dates they were there.
The website will also feature guidelines and health tips including signs to look for if one suspects that they have contracted the disease.
The ministry in conjunction with the AOT has also released a monitoring application for those entering the country or needing to self-quarantine. ( https://apps.apple.com/th/app/aot-airports/id792579639 )
