Thailand’s government confirmed, on Tuesday, 38 more coronavirus infections bringing the total number of infections inside the country to 2,258.
It is the lowest tally in two weeks, lower than Monday’s tally of 51.
There was also one more fatality from the disease bringing the death toll up to 27.
31 more patients have recovered from the virus bringing the number of patients recovered to 824 patients.
1,408 people are still being treated in hospital for the disease.
“We have done this, the reason that the number is lowering is because we have taken responsibility,” said government spokesman Dr Thaweesin Visanuyothin. “That is a reason to be satisfied but we must keep going.”
Lockdown not imminent
A total lockdown and 24-hour curfew are not imminent, the deputy minister of interior told reporters late Monday, after rumours of a lockdown circulated on social media.
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior released a memo on Sunday telling provincial governments to step up its readiness prompting speculation that a nationwide provincial lockdown and a 24-hour curfew were imminent.
The memo, marked ‘urgent,’ told provincial governments to prepare local quarantine areas, store food and necessities, prepare field hospitals, and make sure locals understand the government measures.
But Deputy Interior Minister Nipon Boonyamanee said that the rumours were “fake news” and that citizens should pay them no heed.
“The memo was for provincial governments to step up their readiness, the Ministry of Interior has no authority to implement such extreme measures,” Nipon said.
However, several MPs inside the ruling coalition told Thai Enquirer that a lockdown has been considered by the cabinet and that a 24 hour curfew will be implemented should the situation worsen.
Thailand saw 51 more coronavirus cases on Monday, the lowest rise in two weeks.
Thailand extends flight ban
Thailand said on Monday that it would continue to close the country’s airspace until 11:59 pm on the 18th of April. Flights to the country were supposed to have restarted on Monday evening.
All commercial flights flying into the country will continue to be banned to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Exempt from the ban will be emergency landings, state or military aircraft, and/or humanitarian flights.
It is unclear how this will affect dozens of Thais stranded in overseas airports due to the original airspace closure which started on Thursday, April 2.
Dr Thaweesin said on Monday morning that Thais stranded overseas must contact the local embassy and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was coordinating shelter and response.