As Songkran approaches, health officials are warning that daily Covid caseloads could reach over 100,000 after festivals “if Thais don’t take precautions”. Even before Songkran, the Department of Health predicted daily cases could rise to 50,000. But now they’ve doubled their prediction.
PM Prayut is also urging Thais to “take precautions”, particularly before visiting elderly family members. A government spokesman said yesterday that family activities should be held in well-ventilated areas, and people should take antigen tests before the activities.
Read The Thaiger’s opinion piece about this prediction of 100,000 Covid infections HERE.
The Department of Health also advises elderly people, and people with underlying health problems, to get booster shots at least seven days ahead of Songkran. After Songkran, the Thai department of health is advising returnees from their home provinces to monitor themselves for up to 10 days. A DOH director added that if people develop any Covid-19 symptoms, they must take an antigen test and avoid meeting people.
Yesterday there were 26,050 confirmed new infections and 69 more Covid-19 deaths during the previous 24 hours. Bangkok had the highest number of new cases at 3,739, followed by 1,645 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 1,090 in Chon Buri and 902 in Samut Prakan.
A government spokesman said yesterday that the government is preparing for inter-provincial movement of people returning to their home provinces as daily infections continue to soar.
Next week, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is mulling whether to allow Songkran water splashing festivities to be held on Khao San Road, after the CCSA’s unpopular announcement banning water splashing activities for a third consecutive year sparked much backlash from local businesses last week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post