The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 147 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with no new deaths, November 29th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 147 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths

Monday, 29 November 2021, 11:32

Highlights:

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

• 202 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 0 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 147 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with no new deaths, November 29th.

This makes a total of 107,469 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 2,139 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 759 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 202 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 104,571 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 2,139 were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia.

In total, 1,832,031 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 78.66 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 287,692 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 77.77 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 28, Si Racha 36, Banglamung (Pattaya) 54, Panat Nikhom 5, Sattahip 9, Ban Bueng 2, Phan Thong 2, Bor Thong 3, Ko Chan 1, and 5 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, 3 cases
2. Cluster, Thai Samsung Electronics company in Si Racha, 4 cases
3. Risky occupations meeting many people, 6 cases
4. 1 medical personnel
5. Back from other provinces in Phuket – 1 case, Bangkok – 1 cases and Rayong -1 case
6. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 39 cases, in workplaces – 26 cases and close friends – 4 cases
7. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 22 cases
8. 39 close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

The only certain thing about international travel these days is that there is no certainty. According to a source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CCSA may follow the UK to reverse their decision to change the RT-PCR testing to ATK. We should get more information about this soon. Richard Barrow





With the holiday season just around the corner, Thai hearts sank when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new COVID-19 mutant “Omicron” a variant of concern. Are Thais at risk? Official data shows that more than 1,000 people traveled from Africa to Thailand over the past month. However, so far not a single Omicron case has been detected in the Kingdom. Thai PBS World

 Is new COVID-19 variant a cause of concern for Thailand?

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With the holiday season just around the corner, Thai hearts sank when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new COVID-19 mutant "Omicron" a variant of concern.

The fresh virus threat triggered fears of a new pandemic wave that could sweep away New Year festivities and wreck economic recovery.

However, as of press time, not a single case of Omicron had been detected in Thailand. Meanwhile, authorities and vaccine manufacturers around the world have been quick to respond to Omicron's presence.

About Omicron

On November 24, South Africa reported to the WHO that it had detected a new variant, named B.1.1.529. Over the past few weeks, COVID-19 infections in South Africa rose sharply – coinciding with the detection of the variant in a sample collected on November 9.

The variant, later named Omicron, has a large number of mutations, sparking concern that it may be more transmissible and vaccine-resistant than other variants. Preliminary evidence also suggests Omicron carries a greater risk of reinfection than even Delta, which is currently the dominant strain in Thailand and around the world.

It's all in the name

WHO deliberately skipped the Greek alphabets "nu" and "xi" in naming this new variant.

"'Nu' is too easily confused with 'new', and 'xi' was not used because it is a common [Chinese] last name. WHO's best practices for naming a disease suggest avoiding 'causing offense to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups'," a WHO spokesperson said last Saturday.

The move led to speculation that "Xi" had been avoided out of concern about offending China's president, Xi Jinping.

How far has Omicron spread?

Omicron cases have been found across southern Africa – in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Cases have also been reported among arrivals in Belgium, Germany, Britain, Israel, Netherlands, and Hong Kong.

Currently, fully vaccinated travelers from Hong Kong can enter Thailand without quarantine under the Test & Go scheme.

Thailand's response to Omicron

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattibhoom Vongrachit said Thais have no reason to panic, as travelers arriving from Africa are still required to quarantine for at least 10 days. Thailand has eased quarantine rules for many other countries.

Moreover, from December 1, travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will be barred from landing in Thailand, according to Medical Sciences Department director-general Supakit Sirilak.

Travelers from these countries who arrive before December 1 must spend 14 days in quarantine.

"We are not allowing any travelers from other African nations to arrive under the [quarantine-free] Test & Go or [relaxed quarantine] sandbox schemes," Supakit said.

Are Thais at risk?

Official data shows that more than 1,000 people traveled from Africa to Thailand over the past month. However, so far not a single Omicron case has been detected in the Kingdom.

Supakit said he is confident that Thailand will be able to detect any cases of the variant that enter the country.

"It should also be noted that the number of Omicron cases across the world is currently limited to a few thousand," he said. More information on the variant needs to be compiled and analyzed to determine its level of virulence, he added.

Response from vaccine makers

Major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have announced that they will adapt their formulations swiftly to tackle the new variant. Moderna, for instance, has said it will move forward rapidly with its Omicron-specific booster candidate, mRNA-1273.529.

Responding to previous variants like Delta and Alpha, Moderna managed to have vaccine candidates ready for clinical testing within 60 to 90 days.

Pfizer and BioNTech are also expected to produce a tailor-made vaccine against this variant in about 100 days, subject to regulatory approval.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk



🔴 #COVID19 update on Monday: ⬇️ 4,753 new cases ⬇️ 27 deaths. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post 29/11

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 205 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today, November 28th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 205 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 Coronavirus

Sunday, 28 November 2021, 11:19

Highlights:

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

• 207 people recovered and were released from medical care

• no new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 205 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today, November 28th.

This makes a total of 107,332 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 2,194 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 759 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 207 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 104,369 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Only two cases out of 2,194 were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia.

In total, 1,827,482 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 78.46 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 287,123 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 77.61 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 36, Si Racha 47, Banglamung (Pattaya) 75, Panat Nikhom 10, Sattahip 2, soldiers in Sattahip 14, Ban Bueng 3, Phan Thong 6, Bor Thong 1, and 11 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 14 cases
2. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 4 cases
3. Cluster, Celestica (Thailand) Company in Si Racha, 7 cases
4. Cluster, Phoenix 1952 Company Limited in Banglamung, 7 cases
5. Risky occupations meeting many people, 3 cases
6. 1 medical personnel
7. Back from other provinces in Khon Kaen – 1 case, Buriram – 1 case, Prachin Buri – 1 case, and Phuket – 1 case
8. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 51 cases, in workplaces – 28 cases, and close friends – 11 cases
9. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 22 cases
10. 53 close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

Siam Makro’s 218-billion-baht acquisition of Lotus’s stores from CP Retail Holding in September bumped the number of business liquidations in Thailand up by 31 per cent in October. The Nation

Siam Makro's Lotus's buyout pushes business liquidations in Thailand up by 31% in Oct

Siam Makro's 218-billion-baht acquisition of Lotus's stores from CP Retail Holding in September bumped the number of business liquidations in Thailand up by 31 per cent in October.

However, Thosapol Thangsubut, director-general of the Department of Business Development (DBD), said on Saturday that 5,555 new businesses valued at about 22 billion baht were registered in October. This was about 5 per cent lower than new businesses registered in September, but 3 per cent more compared to the same period last year.

He said 1,976 companies had shut down in October with total registered capital coming in at 207.65 billion baht, which was consistent with the trend of business closures over the past five years.

The registered capital of businesses that ceased operations in October surged by 3,502 per cent or 201.88 billion baht compared to September, and up 2,564 per cent compared to October last year.

"The registered capital numbers are high in October because CP Retail Holding, with a registered capital of 199.48 billion baht, had transferred a majority holding of its Lotus's stores in Thailand and Malaysia to Siam Makro," Thosapol said.

However, he added, that as of October 31, a total of 809,410 businesses with a capital value of 19.26 trillion baht were still in operation nationwide.

Related news:

• THE FUTURE OF RETAILER AND CPG COLLABORATION
• CP Group and Telenor Group support True and dtac in creation of new telecom-tech company
• CP Group Joins Battle To Save Planet, Promises Zero Emissions by 2030

Christmas visitors to Thailand still in the dark about procedures. Pattaya Mail

Christmas visitors to Thailand still in the dark about procedures

Barry KenyonNovember 28, 2021

What exactly happens to Test and Go arrivals awaits clarification.

Thousands of potential tourists, with airtickets dated December 16 and beyond, have been told to delay applying for Thailand Pass approval until December 1. They include vacationers from 63 Test and Go countries which include UK, most of Europe, US and Australia.



Thai government websites have confirmed that, from December 16, these entrants will no longer need to book a pre-arranged, approved hotel to organize an RT-PCR Covid test and confine them to their room overnight until the result is known. That has gone.

Instead, arriving passengers will simply take a rapid antigen test (ATK), wait a few minutes for a negative result and proceed freely under their own steam. However, it isn't clear yet when and how the ATK test will be performed. The Tourist Authority of Thailand website merely states that fuller details will soon be available via the Royal Gazette.

Immigration is fast becoming an electronic procedure.

One theory is that arriving passengers under Test and Go will still need to be transported to their hotel to hang around in the corridors for 20 minutes awaiting the result of the antigen test. This solution, though possible, is not likely to prove popular with either visitors or hotel managements. Most hotels want to sell accommodation rather than just taxi rides or medical clearance.



Another idea is to test everyone on arrival at Bangkok airport which, in theory at least, would delay passengers only by a few minutes pending status confirmation. This solution has been adopted by Cambodian authorities for entry via Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. On the other hand, Cambodia is a much smaller country with far fewer arrivals.

A third idea, based on British practice, is to require incoming passengers to self-administer an ATK test within 48 hours of arrival and send the result to a special email address of the Thai health ministry. Because immigration control would know their passport details, foreigners who declined to follow the rules would be subject to penalties sooner or later.

There is also the point that most incoming passengers are supposed to register their Thai address at local immigration under the TM30 rules. This can be done on their behalf by the hotel or the host, or by the visitor himself or herself. Although TM30 have been relaxed in the last two years, registration is still required of new foreign arrivals. Failure to do so is subject to heavy fines.



Others matters awaiting clarification include arrivals by sea or land. For those arriving lawfully on a cruise ship or water transport, there is no confirmation yet how exactly they will be tested for Covid after stepping off the boat. The Friendship land border between Thailand and Laos is scheduled for general reopening on December 24, but precise detail there is not yet available.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian land borders at Aranyprathet and Poipet are rumored to be opening soo: but only for goods traffic, returning residents and market stall holders. Recent meetings of provincial governors along the border regions did not refer to foreign tourists or visa-runners wanting another extended stay in Thailand.

No matter how the details on Thailand's reopening work out, all incoming passengers by land, sea and air will need to qualify for the Thailand Pass. This in turn will require proof of US$50,000 medical insurance, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure and whatever extra documents you might need. The paperwork remains.  You can bet on it.

Southeast Asia saw an increase in new Covid-19 cases and related deaths on Saturday (November 27), collated data showed. Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40009341

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has notified all airlines about the Thai government’s travel restrictions, including the entry ban on travellers from eight African countries now facing, or at risk of facing, the spread of the new coronavirus variant, known as Omicron. PBS World

Airlines notified of Thailand's restrictions on travellers from 8 African countries

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has notified all airlines about the Thai government's travel restrictions, including the entry ban on travellers from eight African countries now facing, or at risk of facing, the spread of the new coronavirus variant, known as Omicron.

The countries are Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Omicron infections have also been detected in Hong Kong, Israel, Belgium and, most recently, in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

According to the CAAT's restrictions, travellers from the eight African nations, who have already been already granted entry permits, will be allowed to enter the country if they arrive before November 30^th, but will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, regardless of whether the permits were granted under "Test and Go" or "sandbox" programs.

From December 1^st, arrivals from these countries will be prohibited from entering Thailand, even if they were issued with permits under "Thailand Pass" system. All entry permits already issued will become invalid and no more entry permits will be granted to citizens from the eight countries until further notice.

Travellers from other African countries, who have already received entry permits, can enter Thailand until December 14^th. After this date they will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days.

The CAAT also asked all airlines flying to Thailand to intensify the screening of their passengers, especially those travelling from the eight African countries, and to inform them of the travel restrictions in Thailand.

Patong venue operators cautioned as Bangla cases rise. “The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office reports that the rate of new infections in Phuket is increasing, and is linked to Bangla Rd, Patong, and massage workers and freelance bar staff,” Vice Governor Pichet said. Phuket News

Patong venue operators cautioned as Bangla cases rise

PHUKET: Food and drink vendors in Phuket are only allowed to sell alcohol and allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises from 11am-2pmand 5pm-11pm, Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong has confirmed.

The reminder came at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Communicable Disease Committee yesterday (Nov 27) in recognition of the rising number of COVID infections on the island over the past week..

"The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office reports that the rate of new infections in Phuket is increasing, and is linked to Bangla Rd, Patong, and massage workers and freelance bar staff," Vice Governor Pichet said.

"Active case finding results on Soi Bangla on 26 November 2021 [Friday] found that of 792 people tested, 21 returned positive results," he added.

Vice Governor Pichet repeated that the number of musicians performing at the same time at a venue is limited to five. "It is forbidden for them to touch each other, between singers, musicians and customers. It is forbidden to sing with customers, or even for performers or even staff to sit with customers

"Dancing is prohibited, including by performers in a dance show," he said.

The public health guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) must be adhered to, COVID Free Setting measures for food or beverage outlets with music performances, V/Gov Pichet maintained.

Of note, the warning yesterday followed mass testing of staff from venues along Bangla Rd, and came after officers from the PPHO patrolled Bangla Rd the night before (Nov 26) to ensure venues were complying with COVID measures.

"In addition, there has been an increase in the number of infections at schools in all three districts, and the rate of use of all types of hospital [or recovery] beds has increased," V/Gov Pichet also noted yesterday.

"Most of them [the patients] are Group 608* patients and have not been vaccinated. There is a risk from the easing measures and the increasing group activities in traveling to Phuket," he said.

V/Gov Pichet repeated that the government's policy on reopening the country to tourism relied on four premises: vaccinations, "Universal Prevention" measures, COVID Free Setting and testing by ATK (antigen test kits).

"The strategy relies on officials focusing on surveillance, especially on events, schools, hotels, markets, camps, tourist attractions and infections in communities," he said.

"A local outbreak action plan has been set out and we have set social measures for establishments and agencies to seriously implement measures for enforcing COVID-19 Free Setting and COVID-19 Free Area requirements are complied with," he added.

"This includes communication and promotion of 'Smart Control', 'Living with COVID-19' and 'Universal Prevention' measures, including law enforcement," V/Gov Pichet noted.

The Phuket Provincial Government is continuing its campaign for people in the area to be covered by 100% vaccination. 

V/Gov Pichet explained that the PPHO has asked business operators to bring any Thai and foreign workers who have not been vaccinated to be vaccinated at the five government hospitals on the island: Vachira Phuket Hospital. Chalong Hospital, Patong Hospital, Phuket Provincial Hospital and Thalang Hospital.

The workers may be brought to the hospital every Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, except for lunch break. However, if the worker is to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, registration is required, he said.

"In addition, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office is open to provide the first Sinvoac injection every Monday - Friday from 9am to midday throughout November," he added.

"This service is open for everyone, including Thai people, foreigners, migrant workers and people from other provinces," V/Gov Pichet said.

As for the campaign to vaccinate children in Phuket 12-17 years old, 30,690 of the target total 33,393 children have registered to be vaccinated, representing 91.9%, V/Gov Pichet continued.

"Of those who have registered, 29,981 people have received the first dose of vaccine, representing 97.7%," he said.

A further 28,235 had already received their second vaccination injection, representing 92%, he added.