These are this week’s top news and stories in Thailand for foreigners.
- The Prime Minister’s televised speech
- Vaccination Campaign Update
- Overall Situation Update
- Adjusted Measurements
- End of COE
- Molnupiravir
- AstraZeneca Produced in Thailand Approved by WHO
The Prime Minister’s Televised Speech
The Prime Minister gave an address on national television reassuring his people that Thailand would reach its full potential once its borders are open. There have been close collaborations between all government agencies and relevant stakeholders, including the private sector as well as the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, to ensure the synchronization of economic and public health measures as well as other relevant measures to help Thailand get back to normal after the COVID crisis. A list of nations that can enter Thailand without quarantine was addressed as part of Thailand’s opening strategy at the conference. Although certain nations were discussed, the low-risk countries list was not finalized at this conference. Authorities participating in the conference will pool their resources to identify prospective target nations as soon as possible.
Vaccination Campaign Update
Thailand vaccinated over 583,000 people on October 13, bringing the total number of vaccination to more than 62 million. About 1.3 million doses of COVID 19 vaccination have been provided to foreign nationals residing in Thailand, accounting for about 18 percent of all foreign nationals in the country.
The Expat-vac website is the most recent initiative for foreign citizens residing in Thailand to enroll for vaccination, which is jointly operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health. As of October 10, 2021, there are 69,200 foreign residents enrolled for vaccination through Expat-vac website, of whom around 55,000 are under the age of 60, and 13,000 are under the age of 60. Appointments will be arranged with many people who have previously been vaccinated. The German Embassy in Thailand stated Monday that Germany would contribute 347,100 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Mr. Georg Schmidt, the German ambassador to Thailand, stated that Germany is happy to participate in Thailand’s inclusive vaccine rollout.
Overall Situation Update
– A total of 107,925 people have been infected, with 2,890 in severe condition and 675 on ventilators. – New confirmed cases have been reported daily, totalling 11,276.
– At this point, there are 10,407 new cases and 112 new deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of 1.04 percent.
Adjusted Measurements
The following are the most significant alterations made by the CCSA meeting:
– 29 provinces are now down to 23 provinces in the Dark Red Zone, with the night curfew being shortened, and more businesses can resume. From Wednesday, October 16, 2021, the curfew hour has been shortened to 11:00 PM – 03:00 AM. Business can now be close at 10:00 PM from 9:00 PM
– 37 provinces are now down to 30 provinces in the maximum control
– 11 provinces are now up to 24 provinces in the orange coded provinces
Exhibition halls, conference centers, and similar venues may now host meetings, traditional festivals, and cultural events.
In-home senior care facilities are now able to accommodate daytime visits from family members.
Molnupiravir Procurement Strategy
Molnupiravir is an experimental antiviral drug. It is taken orally to treat covid and influenza
For patients who have not been fully vaccinated, CCSA allowed the procurement of 50,000 courses of Molnupiravir to minimize mortality rates.
End of COE to become Thailand Pass System
Since April 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted over 400,000 certificates of entry, also known as COE, to Thai and foreign citizens travelling abroad.
According to the “Ease of Travel” policy, the “Thailand Pass” system will be used to replace the issuing process of COE, which is anticipated to reduce the amount of paperwork for Thai and international tourists entering the country.
The Thailand Pass system is scheduled to become live on November 1, 2021, with some exclusions such as passengers accessing the Alternative Hospital Quarantine or AHQ, tourists crossing land borders, and travellers entering Thailand through yachts and cruise ships still needing a COE.
AstraZeneca Vaccines Produced in Thailand Approved By WHO
Siam Bioscience has been added to AstraZeneca AB’s list of alternative production locations as part of the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) issued to the company on October 11, 2021, according to WHO.
This WHO approval reflects Siam Bioscience’s manufacturing standard, which is in line with international guidelines.
Travellers using Siam Bioscience’s AstraZeneca vaccine will have the same protections and rights as those using other EUL vaccinations.
