All parties are instructed to prepare for the influx of foreign workers into Thailand following the easing of lockdown measures in Phase 6. The private sector is urged to cooperate, while the Ministry of Public Health is confident that any second wave of outbreaks will be localized. Strict area-specific measures are recommended, and a nationwide lockdown is opposed. The government plans to allocate 600 million baht to purchase vaccines from the University of Oxford.

As the country moves to ease COVID-19 prevention measures in Phase 6, allowing certain groups of tourists and foreign workers to enter, Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha announced after a meeting with heads of government agencies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that preparations are underway to open factories to accommodate foreign workers. Standards for screening must be established, and cooperation from the private sector, which requires labor, is essential since the government cannot handle everything alone. Therefore, collaboration is necessary, and guidelines have been provided on when and how to proceed.

"We must prepare to accommodate people, allowing entry but not the COVID-19 virus. Everyone must follow government measures to participate in reducing conflicts. The public is aware of who is right or wrong. Sometimes, government directives depend on public participation, which determines whether we gain or lose. Otherwise, the risks may outweigh the benefits. Remember, the government is prioritizing both the economy and health, and we are currently managing health very well," General Prayuth stated.

Today, we must work in a new normal, accelerating awareness and communication channels. These matters cannot be determined solely by the government, as it would lead to conflicts. The government is trying to do many things, but it relies on public cooperation. However, the government must do its best to ensure the public sees the efforts. If we only focus on large projects without considering smaller foundational issues, it will hinder the success of larger projects and impact smaller foundational initiatives.

"Importantly, any actions taken must be accepted by the local population. Governors must manage local areas in collaboration with local communities and citizens to meet their needs. We must revive the economy and also consider the needs of entrepreneurs and businesses, not just the rich or the poor. It is a different dimension. The key is to create more jobs without leading to bankruptcies, which will depend on the available budget," he emphasized.

I want to reiterate that the budget comes from national revenue collection. Currently, the budget is for recovery and comes from loans that must be repaid. If we do not collaborate on recovery now, the country will lack stability, and we will struggle to find funds in the future for both annual operations and long-term plans.

Ministry of Public Health Confident in Localized Second Wave Outbreaks

Dr. Suwannachai Watanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, stated that as restrictions ease, social and business activities will increase. However, it is crucial to note that while the situation in the country is improving, global issues persist. Therefore, alongside easing restrictions to drive the economy, we must adopt a new way of life.

 

Regarding a potential second wave of outbreaks, if it occurs, it will not resemble the first wave due to three factors: 1. We will not allow people to enter the country without management. 2. During the first wave, the public had not yet implemented measures such as wearing masks, handwashing, and maintaining appropriate distances, but currently, over 80% of the population is compliant. 3. The preparedness and experience of the government, private sector, and citizens have been integrated, and resources are ready.

"This means that while a second wave may lead to domestic infections, it will be localized, like sparks that can be extinguished quickly. We believe that with preparedness, we can manage any outbreaks effectively. Therefore, we confirm that we can handle the situation and affirm our commitment to social and economic life, but we must adopt a new lifestyle that differs from the past," Dr. Suwannachai stated.

Opposition to Nationwide Lockdown, Awaiting Second Wave

Dr. Supakij Sirilak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, stated that aiming for Thailand to have no patients until a vaccine is available is incorrect, as there are still significant outbreaks worldwide. Ultimately, it is possible that Thailand will experience outbreaks, but we must control them to manageable levels. If infections occur, we must quickly manage and contain them. If a lockdown is necessary, it should be localized, not nationwide, similar to the model in Rayong, and we believe that cooperation from various establishments will be strong, as they do not want outbreaks in their workplaces.

"If a second wave occurs in Thailand, it is expected to be manageable and we will do our best to prevent it from becoming severe, leading to many deaths. However, this requires cooperation from the public and all sectors," Dr. Supakij added.

600 Million Allocated for Oxford Vaccine

On the same day, Deputy Minister of Public Health Mr. Sathit Pitutecha announced during a press conference for the "Rayong Comfort Stay, Free COVID-19 Coverage" project that there are several promising vaccine research projects globally, with the University of Oxford starting human trials. The government has allocated a budget of 600 million baht, with Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, former Minister of Public Health, negotiating the purchase. It is known that South Korea is also in negotiations. Thailand is developing several vaccines, with the most advanced being developed by Chulalongkorn University, which has already been tested on monkeys and is expected to be ready by mid-next year.

"I understand that many people are anxious, but we cannot live in fear. Our public health system is prepared nationwide, especially in Bangkok, which can accommodate no fewer than 150 patients per day. We must recognize that currently, only about 35% of cases show symptoms, with 5% being severe. The average mortality rate is 2%. Comparatively, dengue fever and accidents have higher mortality rates. However, the key issue is that COVID-19 is an epidemic, so we must implement strict control measures until a vaccine is available," Mr. Sathit stated.

Soldiers Returning from the U.S. with High Fever

On the same day, Dr. Panprapa Yongtrakul, Assistant Spokesperson for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, reported that there were 8 new confirmed cases, all in state quarantine, returning from Egypt (4 cases), Sudan (2 cases), and the United States (2 cases), bringing the total to 3,269 cases, with 3,105 recovered, 106 currently hospitalized, and 58 deaths remaining unchanged.

General Nathaporn Srisawat, Special Advisor to the Army, as the Director of the Army's COVID-19 Management Center, revealed that on July 22, a mixed infantry company from the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, and 5th-year students from the Royal Military Academy returned from training in Hawaii, USA. Among the 151 soldiers, 10 had fevers, and one had a broken finger from training and required surgery. They were sent to the King Mongkut Hospital for detailed COVID-19 testing.

All soldiers undergoing COVID-19 testing were isolated from other patients, so the public can feel assured. All 11 soldiers have been tested, and results are expected today. The hospital will report results directly to the COVID-19 Management Center immediately. If any soldiers test positive for COVID-19, there will be no concealment of information, except for the names of those who are ill.

Those who passed the screening from the Army and the Army Medical Department were taken to quarantine at the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien, Chonburi, a state-controlled facility, confirming that they did not stop anywhere and strictly followed the measures of the COVID-19 Management Center and the Ministry of Public Health.

SOURCE : www.bangkokbiznews.com