CCSA English briefing on Wednesday, 1 December 2021 (Unofficial translation). Richard Barrow



 CCSA English briefing on Wednesday, 1 December 2021 (Unofficial translation)

1. Update on Thailand Pass and measures for travelers entering the country

1.1 As of 9 am today, we have logged a total of 337,988 applications on the Thailand Pass system.  

Of that number, a total of 268,799 have been approved, of which 138,375 were auto approved.

1.2 During 1-30 November 2021, 133,061 travelers entered Thailand. Of this number, the majority, or 106,211 travelers entered via the Test and Go, or Quarantine Exemption Scheme. 21,438 entered via the Sandbox scheme, and 5,412 entered with quarantine.

1.3 The majority of international travelers come from these top ten countries of origin, namely, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Russia, Japan, France, the Republic of Korea, the UAE and Israel.

1.4 The cabinet has approved that the on-arrival RT-PCR Covid test is still required for all people entering the country as preventive measure to cope with the new COVID-19 variants.

1.5 Therefore, the newly adjusted measures for travelers entering Thailand on 3 schemes starting from 16 December onwards are as follows; 

- Upon arrival in Thailand, travelers on Test & Go scheme are required to take RT-PCR test as usual,

- Travelers entering Thailand via Sandbox scheme are required to stay within the Sandbox zone for only 5 days, instead of 7 days. The only adjustment is the quarantine period while other measures remain unchanged,

- The shortened quarantine period is also applied to travelers on Alternative Quarantine (AQ). Fully- vaccinated travelers are required to spend 5 days in quarantine and those who are not fully vaccinated are required to spend 10 days in quarantine. 

* The aforementioned measures are NOT applied to travelers from Africa

2. Vaccination Progress

2.1 Yesterday, Thailand administered 573,073 doses of vaccines, increasing the accumulated number of vaccinations to more than 93 million doses.

2.2. Approximately 67.1 percent of Thailand's population have now received their first dose, and 57.6 percent (or more than 41 million people) have now received their second dose. 

3. General Situation

3.1 The number of new cases is 4,886 cases with 6,326 new recoveries. The number of accumulated cases stands at 2,120,758 cases. There are 43 new fatalities, with the accumulated total at 20,814 cases. 

3.2 The current top ten provinces with most COVID-19 cases per day are Bangkok (794), Songkhla (270), Surat Thani (240), Nakhon Si Thammarat (204), Chonburi (198), Chiang Mai (171), Samut Prakarn (140), Pattani (119), Prachuap Khiri Khan (117) and Chumphon (100).

4. Bangkok's Measures Adjustment 

4.1 In Bangkok, 9,196 restaurants, facilities and establishments in service sector are qualified according to SHA Standard (Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration - SHA). For SHA plus standard requiring the vaccination for employees, there are 1,679 establishments qualified.

4.2 However, there remain some establishments need to improve their services and other related activities in order to reach SHA or SHA plus standard. Especially establishments selling alcohol are seriously required to have SHA standard in the future. 

4.3 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced that from 1 December onwards, drinking alcohol at restaurants will be allowed to continue until 23.00 hrs. However, the entertainment venues will remain close until 31 December 2021 or any further notice.

4.4 Restaurants and establishments which sell alcohol have to be qualified under SHA standard. 

4.5 Games, competition and other activities can now resume but the organizer needs to receive a permission from the Ministry of Public Health before any activities can be held.

5. Update on the Omicron Variant 

5.1 Due to the public concern about the effectiveness of the RT-PCR test to detect the new COVID-19 variant "Omicron", the public health authorities have now confirmed that the RT-PCR method is still capable of detecting the new variant and the method is still in use globally.

5.2 As of today, the Department of Medical Sciences has not yet discovered the Omicron variant from the samples collected since Thailand's reopening to international visitors on November 1.

5.3 In the case of the spread of the Omicron variant in Thailand, it will be quickly detected and dealt with because of 15 medical sciences centres under the Department of Medical Sciences are ready to better focus on the Omicron variant now. 

5.4 The Deputy Public Health Minister urged the public not to panic and emphasized that the prime minister has ordered security agencies to intensify border surveillance to prevent illegal border crossings to help keep the virus at bay.

5.5 Also, the government has instructed relevant agencies to monitor the situation closely. Measures will be reviewed based on new information coming in and tougher measures will be quickly considered if there is any urgent case. 

Full CCSA English briefing can be viewed here >>> https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/videos/357630166129474

Source: CCSA, MOPH and Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

Nigeria says found Omicron variant from October samples. Abuja – Nigeria said today (Dec. 1) it had confirmed its first cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, among them a sample from travellers who came to Nigeria in October, suggesting it had turned up weeks before it was reported in southern Africa. Thai Newsroom

Nigeria says found Omicron variant from October samples

December 1, 2021 TNR Staff

By Reuters Staff, published by Today Online 

Abuja – Nigeria said today (Dec. 1) it had confirmed its first cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, among them a sample from travellers who came to Nigeria in October, suggesting it had turned up weeks before it was reported in southern Africa.

"Retrospective sequencing of the previously confirmed cases among travellers to Nigeria also identified the Omicron variant among the sample collected in October 2021," Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said in a statement.

It did not give any details on the traveller.

First reported in southern Africa a week ago, Omicron has highlighted the disparity between massive vaccination pushes in rich nations and sparse inoculation in the developing world.

The NCDC said another two cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were from two travellers who arrived from South Africa last week.

"Given the highly likely increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, it is imperative to put in place measures to curb community transmission," the NCDC said.

Data from other countries already shows the variant was circulating before it was officially identified in southern Africa and it has since been detected in more than a dozen countries. Work to establish if it is more infectious, deadly or evades vaccines will take weeks.

The announcement by the NCDC came ahead of a meeting between South African President Cyril Rampahosa and his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja today, when Omicron is likely to be discussed.

Several nations have imposed travel restrictions on countries in southern Africa, which Ramaphosa says is unjustified and hurts developing nations. 

Chonburi Governor releases new orders easing Covid-19 restrictions effective from today, alcohol sales ban at restaurants, etc. stays however. Pattaya News

Chonburi Governor releases new orders easing Covid-19 restrictions effective from today, alcohol sales ban at restaurants, etc. stays however

The Chonburi Governor has released new orders through their Public Relations Facebook page today (December 1st) detailing the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Wednesday, 1 December 2021, 19:36

Chonburi, Thailand

The biggest change is that to gathering limits and closing times, allowing many venues to now close at their "normal" times, which refers to normal operating hours without Covid-19 restrictions. However, despite weeks of protests and pleas from business owners, especially in the tourist zone of Pattaya, alcohol sales at all premises on-site like bars, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, pubs, remain banned.

1. Gatherings of more than 500 people are not allowed except with permission from the Chonburi government (Such as specifically approved festivals in tourist areas like Pattaya). Gathering in the Chonburi tourism model area (Sattahip/Pattaya) is allowed under hygenic measurements.
2. Place allowed to open/Changes made: (We will not list every single place, only highlight the changes and basic announcements-Editor
2.1 Educational places
2.2 Restaurants are allowed to open at their normal times but NOT allowed to consume alcoholic beverages at the restaurant. Bars, nightlife, entertainment remain closed, including in tourist zones like Pattaya.
2.3 Malls can open at normal times. Amusement parks and water parks inside malls (not outside) are still closed.
2.4 Exhibition in hotels or centers is allowed not more than 1,000 people with permission for events like MICE or conventions.
2.5 Beauty clinics, spas, massages, hair salons, nail salons, tattoo or piercing shops can open until no more than midnight.
2.6 Public parks, sports fields, swimming pools, outdoor and indoor exercise places, fitness centers, can open at their normal time.
2.7 Cinemas, theaters can open at the normal time
2.8 Amulet markets can open at the normal time
2.9 Botanical parks can open at the normal time
2.10 Zoo or animal shows can open at the normal time
2.11 Game and internet cafés can open no later than midnight
2.12 Banquet rooms, Hotel meeting rooms, etc can open at the normal time but no alcohol drinking inside

If you have questions about the orders or if your venue can open please call City Hall 24 hours a day at 1337. We didn't list every prior place that is already allowed to open.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=–=–=–=–==-

Hospital warns not all PCR tests properly detect Omicron variant. Ramathibodi Hospital Centre for Medical Genomics has warned that some PCR test kits may fail in accurately identifying people infected with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The hospital says that the new variant has a growth advantage and that some polymerase chain reaction tests may not be able to see the variant. The Thaiger / The Nation

Hospital warns not all PCR tests properly detect Omicron variant

By 

Neill Fronde

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 17:22

PHOTO: A hospital is warning that PCR tests may not detect the Omicron variant. (via KARE)

Ramathibodi Hospital Centre for Medical Genomics has warned that some PCR test kits may fail in accurately identifying people infected with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The hospital says that the new variant has a growth advantage and that some polymerase chain reaction tests may not be able to see the variant.

The Hospital posted its findings on Facebook recently using 115 samples from an African scientist that contain the Omicron variant genetic code to test how accurate results from a PCR test would be. The results of their experiments were troubling to say the least.

"We found that some PCR test kits may give weakly positive or false negative as the virus may have a growth advantage."

The World Health Organisation announced that, like the Delta variant that rapidly spread around the world and plunged much of the globe into a new, worse wave of Covid-19 infections, the new Omicron variant has been labelled as a variant of concern – the highest designation that has been used for Covid-19 strains so far.

Scientists at Ramathibodi Hospital Centre say that the African scientist made the 115 Omicron variant samples available worldwide to let scientists from around the world to study the strain simultaneously. The genetic code was added to the GISAID Covid-19 database. The hospital utilised these 115 Omicron variant samples to run PCR tests that were approved by the WHO's Nexclade programme.

The tests found that some PCR kits are inaccurately returning false-negative results or positive results so weak they may be misinterpreted. The hospital warned Covid-19 testing centres throughout Thailand to ensure they are using PCR tests that are capable of accurately identifying Omicron variant infections, though they did not name which tests in particular are most accurate.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

252 arrivals from 8 African countries asked to report for RT-PCR tests immediately. PBS World



Thailand reinstates one night quarantine for arrival - Pattaya Mail

Thailand reinstates one night quarantine for arrival

Barry KenyonDecember 1, 2021

Arriving passengers at Bangkok airports still face a bureaucratic delay before doing their own thing.

After much debate earlier in the week, the Thai prime minister has finally decided that all visitors must be isolated for several hours pending the result of their compulsory virus test. Under the "test and go" provisions of Thailand Pass, citizens of 63 countries must advance-book an approved hotel in Bangkok or Pattaya which will take responsibility for their transport and RT-PCR health check. Typically, the result takes between 10 and 15 hours and guests must remain in their pre-booked room during that time.



General Prayut Chan-ocha, the prime minister, said that the government had planned to abolish the PCR test and confined hotel stay in favor of an on-arrival antigen test kit, or ATK. This latter test takes only a few minutes to produce a result and would allow visitors to bypass the hotel regulation.  However, the appearance last week end of the Omicron virus mutant had caused the government to cancel their plans and resume the hotel quarantine policy which has been in operation since November 1.

Deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha said the revamped policy would be revisited in a few weeks as more information becomes availableabout the latest public health scare. In the meantime, flights from eight southern African countries had been banned and Thailand Pass approvals withdrawn. Omicron was first notified by South Africa, although medics are stressing it could have its origin outside Africa.



Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is advising prospective tourists to book their one-night hotel package only through approved ASQ websites. There have been cases of unscrupulous hotels charging hidden extras for transport, the PCR test and meals. The Ministry of Health is also reminding air passengers that they must have in their possession the negative result of a PCR test taken in the country of departure less than 72 hours before the flight departure. Otherwise they will be refused boarding.

The World Health Organization said that the new virus mutant was comparatively easy to track and trace at airports, but much more difficult to control at land frontiers where security is often more lax. Later this month, Thailand intends to open some of its border crossing points with both Laos and Cambodia, mainly for the transport of goods and the transit of market stall holders and sugar cane cutters. At press time, there had been no formal announcement about foreign tourists and visa runners taking advantage of the raising of the barriers. Thailand closed all its land border posts in March 2020.

Vaccination update December 1st



 

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Thailand for its health insurance and primary healthcare system, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Wednesday. Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009488

Thai tourism stocks in danger as Omicron threatens recovery - Tourism-related stocks, particularly airlines and hospitality operators, fear the worst following the spread of the new Omicron variant. Investors and traders are concerned that the new variant will potentially lead to tighter travel restrictions and city lockdowns. Thai Enquirer



 

Thai tourism stocks in danger as Omicron threatens recovery

Tourism-related stocks, particularly airlines and hospitality operators, fear the worst following the spread of the new Omicron variant. Investors and traders are concerned that the new variant will potentially lead to tighter travel restrictions and city lockdowns.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index dropped over 30 points to its three-month low last Friday. The drop was due to massive sell-offs after the Omicron variant was first reported in Southern Africa. 

As of Monday's morningsession, Airports of Thailand (AOT) fell further by 4 per cent and the hospitality company, Minor International (MINT), also dipped by 2.6 per cent.

"Omicron will create pressure for the SET index until the outbreak seems to be under control," analysts at KTB securities said in a research note, mentioning tourism as the most vulnerable sector. 

"There is a high chance that the Omicron will spread in Thailand," KTB noted.

If analysts are correct, tourism and economic activities will likely suffer again. It's regrettable timing for the industry as the country has only been opened to vaccinated visitors for about a month. 

For strategic play, SCB Securities suggested inventors to sell stocks in the reopening theme ahead of the disruption of the new variant. The list includes MINT, ERW, CENTEL, AOT, BA, TU, BEM, BTS, and BTSGIF.

However, there were some stocks that benefited from the outbreak and saw their price rise despite concerns induced by the Omicron variant. 

The glove maker Sri Trang Gloves Thailand (STGT) rose over 4 per cent, while healthcare service provider Bangkok Chain Hospital (BCH) and Ekachai Medical Care (EKH) gained 4.30 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. 

Worst case scenario 

Isara Ordeedolchest, an analyst at Krungsri securities, predicted the worst case scenario. He suggested that Thailand may shut its borders to high-risk countries for three to six months in 2022 as vaccine manufacturers will take another 100 days to develop new vaccines that could be effective against the new variant. 

"There is limited downside in the near-term but we would monitor the situation closely," the analyst added. 

Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the Energy Minister, told reporters at the Government House on Monday that initially Omicron would not impact the reopening plans.

He added that the current list of countries exempted from quarantine does not include African countries. 

However, from December 1, Thailand will ban travel from eight African countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Those who arrive before December 1 will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 198 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death, December 1st. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 198 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death

Wednesday, 1 December 2021, 12:20

Highlights:

• 198 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 176 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 1 new death

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 198 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death, December 1st.

This makes a total of 107,837 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 2,110 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 761 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 176 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 104,966 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Only three cases out of 2,110 were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia.

The one new death was a 71-year-old male elder who had personal health problems and was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,838,239 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 78.93 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 288,820 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 78.07 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 27, Si Racha 83, Banglamung (Pattaya) 56, Panat Nikhom 6, Sattahip 3, Ban Bueng 1, Phan Thong 2, Bor Thong 1, soldiers in Sattahip 10, and 9 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 10 cases
2. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 6 cases
3. Cluster, LIVE stream dancing show in Pattaya, 6 cases
4. Cluster, Celestica company in Si Racha, 5 cases
5. Risky occupations meeting many people, 3 cases
6. 2 medical personnel
7. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 53 cases, in workplaces – 41 cases, close friends – 7 cases and joined parties – 1 case
8. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 12 cases
9. 52 close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)