The government’s COVID-19 task force has dismissed the proposed relaxation of health and safety protocols for international arrivals, with the current requirements and rules applicable for Sandbox arrivals from 16 December onwards. NNT

The government's COVID-19 task force has dismissed the proposed relaxation of health and safety protocols for international arrivals, with the current requirements and rules applicable for Sandbox arrivals from 16 December onwards.

 

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has confirmed the current restrictions and requirements will continue to be applicable to international visitors in the Sandbox campaign, with the arrival RT-PCR test and interprovincial travel prohibition applied for the first 7 days.

This decision to maintain the same arrival protocol comes after a proposal from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) to reduce the interprovincial travel ban for Sandbox arrivals down to 5 days.

Some adjustments have however been made for international travelers, such as the change to maximum transit time between the airport and first-night accommodation from 2 to 5 hours.

Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, Spokesman for the CCSA, said 171 COVID-19 positive cases, accounting for 0.13% of the total 133,061 international arrivals from 1 to 30 November.

From 1 December, 152 positive cases have been reported among 87,383 international arrivals, accounting for 0.17%.

International travelers to Thailand are currently subject to different arrival protocols based on their conditions, with the Test and Go quarantine-free scheme available for fully vaccinated travelers from lower-risk countries.

Other travelers could enter Thailand without serving quarantine in one of the Sandbox programs, however, they will be restricted from international travels for 7 days. Travelers not eligible for these schemes are subject to quarantine at government-approved accommodations.

Other arrival protocols are also applicable to cargo drivers, vehicle operators, as well as people allowed to enter the country under special conditions.

Different arrival protocols will be applicable for travelers from countries on different tiers, as well as their vaccination status.

The government will also proceed with the reopening of land borders, starting first in a pilot scheme at the Thailand-Laos border in Nong Khai from 24 December, with the Thailand-Malaysia border in Songkhla set to follow suit.

The government's COVID-19 task force has dismissed the proposed relaxation of health and safety protocols for international arrivals, with the current requirements and rules applicable for Sandbox arrivals from 16 December onwards.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has confirmed the current restrictions and requirements will continue to be applicable to international visitors in the Sandbox campaign, with the arrival RT-PCR test and interprovincial travel prohibition applied for the first 7 days.

This decision to maintain the same arrival protocol comes after a proposal from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) to reduce the interprovincial travel ban for Sandbox arrivals down to 5 days.

Some adjustments have however been made for international travelers, such as the change to maximum transit time between the airport and first-night accommodation from 2 to 5 hours.

Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, Spokesman for the CCSA, said 171 COVID-19 positive cases, accounting for 0.13% of the total 133,061 international arrivals from 1 to 30 November.

From 1 December, 152 positive cases have been reported among 87,383 international arrivals, accounting for 0.17%.

International travelers to Thailand are currently subject to different arrival protocols based on their conditions, with the Test and Go quarantine-free scheme available for fully vaccinated travelers from lower-risk countries.

Other travelers could enter Thailand without serving quarantine in one of the Sandbox programs, however, they will be restricted from international travels for 7 days. Travelers not eligible for these schemes are subject to quarantine at government-approved accommodations.

Other arrival protocols are also applicable to cargo drivers, vehicle operators, as well as people allowed to enter the country under special conditions.

Different arrival protocols will be applicable for travelers from countries on different tiers, as well as their vaccination status.

The government will also proceed with the reopening of land borders, starting first in a pilot scheme at the Thailand-Laos border in Nong Khai from 24 December, with the Thailand-Malaysia border in Songkhla set to follow suit.

#Thailand #arrivalprotocols #covid19 #travellers #ข่าวด่วน #ประเทศไทย #ผู้เดินทาง #มาตรการเข้าราชอาณาจักร #โควิด19

Don’t rush to get a fourth Covid-19 jab, advises expert virologist. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said Covid-19 is a new disease and its vaccines are also new. Hence, the best way of tackling the virus is to gradually accumulate knowledge on what works to reduce the risk to vaccine recipients. The Nation



Don't rush to get a fourth Covid-19 jab, advises expert virologist

• Home
• » 
• In-Focus
• » 
• Don't Rush To Get A Fourth Covid-19...

---

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said Covid-19 is a new disease and its vaccines are also new. Hence, the best way of tackling the virus is to gradually accumulate knowledge on what works to reduce the risk to vaccine recipients.

"So far, we know that two vaccine shots can prevent severe symptoms and death from Covid-19. However, to maintain high immunity, a booster or third jab is required," he said.

"Based on this, everybody should get at least two jabs and then a booster when they can.

"There is no need to think about getting a fourth shot just yet. Instead, we should wait until we know more about Covid-19 or until a new generation of vaccines is developed," he suggested. He said waiting is the best thing to do since each jab needs to be administered at a suitable interval to allow the vaccine enough time to stimulate immunity.

"Furthermore, getting too many jabs can increase the risk of side effects," he added.

"There is evidence that recipients of three mRNA vaccines develop myocarditis after the second shot and lymphadenopathy after the third shot, though they had shown no side effects after the first jab.

"If you have already registered for the fourth jab with a private vaccine importer, it is advisable to postpone it for now and wait at least six months after your third jab," the expert said. "We don't know what will happen in the future. There could be a new variant of the virus or a new type of vaccine may become available."

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 136 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, December 14th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 136 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and two new deaths

Tuesday, 14 December 2021, 9:42

PHOTO: BMA Health

Highlights:

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

• 175 people recovered and were released from medical care

• Two new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 136 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, December 14th.

This makes a total of 109,833 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,760 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 780 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 175 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 107,293 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Two people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia, and were not vaccinated.

Two new deaths today are at the average age of 67. They both had personal health problems. One of them was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,876,920 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 80.59 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 293,324 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 79.29 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 14, Si Racha 38, Banglamung (Pattaya) 45, Panat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 3, new soldiers in Sattahip 6, Ban Bueng 6, Phan Thong 4, Ko Chan 1, and 17 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster soldiers in Sattahip, 6 cases
2. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 16 cases
3. Cluster, Asno Horie company in Rayong, 3 cases (Lived in Chonburi 3)
4. Risky occupations meeting many people, 3 cases
5. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 47 cases, in workplaces – 23 cases, close personal contacts – 4 case, and joined party – 1 case
6. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 8 cases
7. 25 close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)



Covid19 update December 14th. ASEAN NOW

 

Bangkok Post highlights 14/12



Govt vows aviation industry boost. The government is hoping to accelerate the recovery of Thailand's aviation industry, which hopes to see 200 million passengers per year by 2031, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday. Bangkok Post

Govt vows aviation industry boost

About 165 million passengers travelled on more than 1 million flights to and from Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in 2019. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

The government is hoping to accelerate the recovery of Thailand's aviation industry, which hopes to see 200 million passengers per year by 2031, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday.

Speaking at the seminar: "Thai Aviation Industry Conference 2021: Flying into a new era of Thai aviation", Mr Saksayam cited figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which said the nation is set to become the ninth-largest aviation market in the world.

The industry, which generates about 85 billion baht a year or 7.7% of Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP), employs more than 700,000 people.

ADVERTISEMENT

Between 2012-2019, air travel in Thailand grew by an average of 9.4% per year, consistent with the increase in the number of scheduled passenger services, which went up by 7.6% each year.

Before the pandemic hit in 2019, 165 million passengers travelled on more than one million flights to and from Thailand that year, while 1.5 million tonnes of cargo were transported in and out of the country.

Thailand was connected to the world by 380 international air routes, while domestically there were 67 routes operated by various airlines.

However, successive waves of Covid outbreaks have caused demand for air travel to plummet by 64%. Mr Saksayam said international arrivals plunged by 81% from 2019 levels.

The country's Nov 1 reopening has allowed the aviation sector to recover somewhat, and to hasten its recovery the government will introduce a number of long-term assistance measures for airlines, Mr Saksayam said, though he stopped short of explaining these measures.

Separately, the IATA urged governments around to world to revoke travel bans that were introduced to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, joining a growing number of public organisations -- including the WHO -- to advise against such bans.

IATA director-general, Willie Walsh, asked governments to reconsider all Omicron measures. "The goal is to move away from the uncoordinated, evidence absent, risk-unassessed mess that travellers face," he said.

The WHO has said travel bans won't prevent the international spread of the virus but "adversely impact global health efforts during a pandemic by disincentivising countries to report and share epidemiological data".

Airlines Association of Thailand seeks visa waiver for global travelers. Further loosening of travel rules and costs, such as visa fees or RT-PCR tests, will stir demand, said Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Bangkok Airways president and AAT president. Bangkok Post

Airlines Association of Thailand seeks visa waiver for global travellers

Foreign tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the first day of the country's reopening campaign on Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters photo)

The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) is urging the government to consider implementing a visa waiver for international travellers to attract more demand as global competition is getting intense.

Further loosening of travel rules and costs, such as visa fees or RT-PCR tests, will stir demand, said Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Bangkok Airways president and AAT president.

Visa exemption is a measure that will help increase the number of international tourists next year to the goal of 10 million.

He said the waiting period at the hotel for Test & Go scheme should be shortened to let tourists continue their trips sooner.

"We are in a fierce competition as every country needs tourists to cushion the economic impact. Further loosening of restrictions will help enhance our competitiveness," Mr Puttipong said.

Speaking at the "Thai Aviation Industry Conference 2021: flying to the new era of Thai aviation" seminar, Mr Puttipong said Thailand's aviation industry will return to 20-30% of the pre-Covid level despite the Nov 1 reopening.

Measures to support local airlines should continue for 1-2 years.

The government has to control the virus situation to gain confidence from other countries, paving the way for reciprocal travel agreements, said Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial operations at Thai Lion Air.

She said international flights remain weak as Thai tourists still face strict quarantine requirements in many destinations.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of Thai AirAsia (TAA), said aviation is the first industry affected by the outbreak and will be the last to recover.

Besides cost-saving measures, TAA has to seek additional income, such as cargo service, F&B product sales general consumers and digital transformation via its super app in order to stay afloat.

Suvadhana Sibunruang, chief executive of Thai Airways, said the national airline opted for cargo or repatriation flights when international borders were closed last year.

However, they were not adequate to shore up business until Thai Airways submits its rehabilitation plan.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor for marketing communications, said the number of Thailand Pass applications totalled 500,000, of which 200,000 tourists were approved.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to speed up the mass provision of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, to guard against the potentially serious symptoms of the Omicron variant. CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said today (Monday) that the variant has already spread to many countries and it has been reported that three doses of vaccine can help reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death. PBS World

Thailand to speed up vaccine booster shots

views  309

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to speed up the mass provision of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, to guard against the potentially serious symptoms of the Omicron variant.

CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said today (Monday) that the variant has already spread to many countries and it has been reported that three doses of vaccine can help reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death.

In Thailand, he said that only 4.1 million people, or 5.5% of the population, have received three shots and 97 million doses of vaccines have been administered so far.

69.3% of the population, or 49.9 million people, have received one vaccine dose and 43.3 million, or 60.2%, have received two.

Dr. Taweesin said that the CCSA has set a target to have administered 100 million doses of vaccines by December 20^th. The date has been postponed from the initial targets set for the end of November and then by December 5^th. He added that 6.6 million doses will be administered in December alone, with 3.1 million as first jabs, 2.3 million as second jabs and 1.2 million as booster shots.

He explained that people can choose the available vaccines for their boosters.

People who were inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine for the first two shots can choose Pfizer or Moderna as their booster three months after their second jab, while those who have received two Pfizer or two Moderna doses can choose either of the two vaccines as their booster six months after their second shot.

Those who received mixed vaccines, such as Sinovac and AstraZeneca or Sinopharm and AstraZeneca, can choose AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna as their third shot, three months after the second shot.

People who have received Sinovac and Pfizer or Sinopharm and Pfizer can choose either Pfizer or Moderna for their booster shot, three months after their second jab, and those having received AstraZeneca and Pfizer as their first two jabs can choose either Pfizer or Moderna as their third shot, six months after their second jab.

Dr. Taweesin said the CCSA has a target to vaccinate at least 80% of the population next year and the unvaccinated can just walk in to vaccination facilities to get their shots free of charge. Children under 12 can get inoculated with the consent of their parents.