🔴 BREAKING !! Richard Barrow

🔴 BREAKING: The Ministry of Public Health is now recommending extending the suspension of new applications for Test & Go until the end of the month and they also propose, those who already have a Thailand Pass for Test & Go, must enter before 10 January. Follow @ThaiNewsReports on Twitter for regular updates.

Source: ด่วน! 'อนุทิน' สั่งสธ. ชงศบค.เลื่อนเปิด 'Test and go' ถึง 31 ม.ค. หลังโอมิครอนพุ่ง https://www.matichon.co.th/covid19/news_3114611

Thailand's Minister of Public Health officially proposes to Covid-Center to postpone resuming "Test and Go" until at least the end of January - TPN National News

Thailand's Minister of Public Health officially proposes to Covid-Center to postpone resuming "Test and Go" until at least the end of January

Monday, 3 January 2022, 12:46

Thailand-

  Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health and Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed this morning to the Thai press, January 3rd, 2022, that he has proposed on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to delay any resumption of the "Test and Go" program until at least the end of January, scheduled for a review by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, tomorrow, January 4th.

TPN notes that this is only a proposal at this point and not a guarantee, but is likely to happen based on concerns from the Department of Disease Control (DDC) and the MOPH on the rising number of Omicron cases in Thailand.

Test and Go is the program that previously allowed foreigners from November 1st, 2021 to enter Thailand quickly with some restrictions and rules, notably passing an RT-PCR test and waiting for the results in a qualified hotel. This was suspended due to Omicron concerns on December 21st. The order also suspended all "Sandbox" programs except Phuket, which is a program that allows one to stay in a qualified hotel in certain provinces and areas while having the freedom to roam the local area with regular Covid-19 tests. See our reference article below:

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/21/thai-government-suspends-thailand-pass-registration-and-cancels-test-go-scheme-to-prevent-omicron-infections-effective-today/

TPN media notes the continued suspension proposal, as stated by Anutin, should not affect people previously approved for the program before the suspension, although there may be terms and conditions proposed like potential cutoff dates. Anutin also specifically referred to implementing a January 10th cutoff date for those arriving on Test and Go, a previously discussed issue of much contention on social media. Under this proposal, if one arrived after they would need to do the Phuket Sandbox or quarantine under regular multiple-day quarantine programs. Again, this date at this time is ONLY a proposal.

Anutin said the proposal of continuing the suspension was to "protect people already in the country and provide peace of mind."

TPN media will monitor the proposal and scheduled meetings from the CCSA carefully over the next several days and provide regular updates. For more details on the scheduled meetings this week, click below:

The week ahead in Thailand and Pattaya news: Thai Covid Center to hold major meeting about Omicron, Test and Go, potential restrictions

Visi

Vaccination update January 3rd.

 

CHONBURI (NNT) - Authorities in Chon Buri province have launched proactive case-finding operations while urging businesses to set up screening checkpoints and test their staff using antigen kits in order to detect and isolate suspected cases.

 

By: Paul Rujopakarn

    

CHONBURI (NNT) - Authorities in Chon Buri province have launched proactive case-finding operations while urging businesses to set up screening checkpoints and test their staff using antigen kits in order to detect and isolate suspected cases.

 

Establishments in Pattaya and Bang Lamung that serve alcoholic beverages and do not conduct antigen tests on staff and patrons have been ordered to close.

 

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, di rector-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said he was concerned about transmissions in the province, as most residents work in factories. Factories are still permitted to operate after New Year's celebrations, but are urged to conduct antigen tests on their employees.

 

According to Chon Buri's public health office, the province recorded the largest number of new COVID-19 infections on Sunday at 442. 81% of cases in Bang Lamung district alone were also determined to be the Omicron coronavirus variant.

 

Authorities are meanwhile advising state agencies and private businesses to allow their employees to work from home for at least two weeks amid surging Omicron infections, with over 1,500 nationwide as of New Year's Day.

 

They are also recommending that people follow Universal Prevention guidelines, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

 

Officials insist, however, that the situation remains under control and there have so far been no severe cases caused by the new variant.

 

According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed agencies to continue closely monitoring the Omicron situation in order to prevent major Omicron outbreaks.

 

The spokesperson added that the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Transport are offering free antigen tests for people returning to Bangkok through the Mo Chit bus terminal and Hua Lamphong railway station.

Chonburi, led by Banglamung with 264, announces 351 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths - The Pattaya News

Chonburi, led by Banglamung with 264, announces 351 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths

Monday, 3 January 2022, 11:14

Highlights:

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

• 179 people recovered and were released from medical care

• No new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 351 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with no new deaths, January 3rd, 2022. This is a drop from yesterday's several month high of 442, however.

This makes a total of 114,107 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 2,908 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 794 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 179 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 110,405 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

One person was listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia, the person had completed two doses of a Covid – 19 vaccine.

In total, 1,913,109 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 82.14 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 298,353 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 80.65 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 25, Si Racha 19, Banglamung (Pattaya) 264, Panat Nikhom 9, Sattahip 14, new soldiers in Sattahip 14, Ban Bueng 6, Phan Thong 7, Bor Thong 1, Nong Yai 1, and 4 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 4 cases
2. Active case finding at restaurants that sell alcohol in Pattaya and Banglamung, 67 cases
3. Active case finding at restaurants that sell alcohol in Bang Saen and at Wonnapa Beach, 3 cases
4. Risky occupations meeting many people, 20 cases
5. 8 medical personnel
6. Back from other provinces in Samut Songkram – 2 cases, Uttaradit – 1 case and Chachoengsao – 1 case
7. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 50 cases, in workplaces – 33 cases, close personal contacts – 21 cases, and joined a party – 18 cases
8. Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 37 cases
9. 86 cases close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

🔴 #COVID19 update on Monday: ⬇️ 2,927 new cases ⬆️ 18 deaths ⬆️ 33,114 in care. New cases continue to be low, but the number of people in care has increased for the second day in a row. Richard Barrow

The government has asked state agencies and private companies to allow staff to work from home for at least 14 days as Omicron infections soared to more than 1,500 cases nationwide as of Jan 1. Kalasin, Chon Buri clusters spur alarm. Bangkok Post

Staff urged to WFH for 2 weeks

People disembark a train at Hua Lamphong station on Sunday after their break in the provinces during the New Year holidays. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)

The government has asked state agencies and private companies to allow staff to work from home for at least 14 days as Omicron infections soared to more than 1,500 cases nationwide as of Jan 1.

Despite the surge, the situation remains under control without any severe cases caused by the new variant, health authorities said.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday that state agencies and private companies are being encouraged to allow their staff to work from home to prevent further spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed state agencies to monitor the Omicron situation closely to prevent any further major clusters of Omicron infections developing such as that in Kalasin which logged a total of 244 cases (scattered over several provinces) as of Sunday, Mr Thanakorn said.

He said those who had returned to Bangkok from the provinces via the Mor Chit bus terminal and Hua Lamphong railway station can get antigen tests free of charge.

The service is provided in a collaboration of the Public Health Ministry and the Transport Ministry.

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for public health, said Omicron infections have increased as predicted, though there have been no severe cases.

''Generally, patients are concerned about the worst effects such as deaths if they get infected. But as long as infected patients have mild or no symptoms and develop immunity, this should be okay,'' he said.

However, the Public Health Ministry will assess the situation again today before presenting any further measures to help curb the spread to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Friday, Dr Kiattiphum said.

"In sum, the Omicron variant is spreading. But it has not caused any severe symptoms yet and remains under control," he said.

Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said Thailand logged a total of 1,551 Omicron cases over 47 provinces between Nov 1 last year and Jan 1.

Of them, 779 were arrivals from abroad and 772 were local transmissions.

Bangkok accounted for 395 cases, followed by 195 in Kalasin, 148 in Chon Buri, 125 in Phuket, and 119 in Roi Et, Dr Supakit said, adding that the spike in cases was in line with a prediction by health authorities that more cases would be detected after the New Year holiday.

Agencies have been urged to allow as many staff as possible to work from home for two weeks during which the government will assess the situation, Dr Supakit said.

People should also follow ''Universal Prevention'' precautions such as wearing masks, and maintaining safe distancing to protect themselves against the spread of the virus.

Chon Buri on Sunday logged a total of 442 new cases of Covid-19, the largest in the country, according to the provincial public health office.

In particular, close watch is being kept on Bang Lamung district where 81% infections were confirmed to be Omicron, local health officials said.

A random sample of 79 cases collected by provincial health officials found that 64 were Omicron cases while nine were cases of the Delta variant.

Chon Buri public health office has launched proactive case finding in the district and asked business operators to conduct antigen testing on staff and set up screening checkpoints to look for and isolate infected people.

Restaurants that sell alcoholic drinks in Pattaya or Bang Lamung have also been ordered closed, except those which conduct antigen testing on staff and patrons.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, di­rector-general of the Department of Disease Control, expressed concern about transmissions in Chon Buri, saying the eastern province has many residents, and most are factory workers.

After New Year when those workers return from their home provinces to work, factories may continue to operate, but they have been urged to conduct antigen testing on workers.

Health officials are also monitoring another infection cluster in Ubon Ratchathani which is spreading rapidly, with some 304 new cases recorded on Sunday.

This cluster was detected among people who visited pubs and restaurants, similar to the Kalasin cluster, Dr Opas said.