The Thai government and international allies must “calm down” over the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and not let it threaten economic recovery and international travel, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday.
Thailand has, following the example of the European Union and the United States banned flights from several African countries, following the spread of the Omicron variant first identified in South Africa.
The government said it has also put in travel contingency plans in case the variant spreads quickly in the other parts of the world.
But a senior doctor at one of Thailand’s leading hospital says the panic over Omicron is unwarranted and that a more nuanced approach is needed when dealing with the latest variant.
“The data set from Omicron was not even out when governments began making their travel restrictions and decisions,” said the doctor who asked not to be named citing sensitivity.
“And as the data set comes out we should stay cautious in line with the science. What we know now is that Omicron likely spreads more easily, but early data suggests it’s less fatal as well – especially among the vaccinated.”
The doctor said that while it was good that governments sought to get ahead of the virus, it was imperative that they factor in the latest data in their decision making.
“Being cautious is good but our decisions must be backed up by the science. The entire world is rushing to decode this newest strain. We must not panic.”