The Ministry of Health wants a new system with three instead of four color codes for more targeted lockdown measures in the provinces. The ministry believes that this will enable it to better combat the virus outbreak in the country.
The health ministry has proposed “targeted lockdown” measures and a new color-coding system to identify the provinces most at risk of an increase in Covid-19 infections.
Currently, red, orange, yellow and green are used to illustrate the level of Covid-19 infections in provinces affected by the disease. The red zone means maximum control and a high number of infections; the second highest control zone is orange, followed by the high surveillance zone (yellow), while the surveillance zone (green) applies to counties with no contamination.
Under the new color coding system, there will be only three zones - dark red under special, maximum control, red and orange to respond to the current situation, Dr Kiattiphum said. He added that communicable disease commissions in all 77 provinces will be asked to introduce "targeted lockdown" measures to ban activities involving large crowds.
The proposals will be submitted to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for consideration, he said.
Dr. Kiattiphum said the meeting also discussed other pressing issues, most notably the shortage of hospital beds in Bangkok.
Source: Bangkok Post
Maybe not completely on topic, but my wife just told me the following:
It has been decided (the government) that when you leave your home by car (and you are in the car with 2 people or more), everyone must wear a mouth mask. So not only when you get out but also inside while driving.
She says that the ever so diligent police even apply this very strictly. Even if you are ALONE in the car without a mouth mask, they are already diligently handing out a fine of 500THB. Cash register so…
I don't know what is correct about this. I only mention what she managed to tell me.
So, don't shoot the messenger please 😉
On Monday, a post on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Facebook page clarified the requirements for wearing a face mask when out in public.
The post said that the rule regarding face masks also applies to people who are in their own cars with at least one other person, regardless if that other person is a family member.
The BMA said children under 2 years of age are exempt from wearing face masks.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory in all public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, regardless of the distance between people.
Violators face a fine of up to 20,000 baht under the Communicable Disease Act.
https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/photos/a.10151767958672050/10157975251057050/
Does that apply to all of Thailand?
Not entirely clear to me.
The obligation to wear a mask in public places, both indoors and outdoors, does not apply throughout Thailand. I think it is currently mandatory in 44 provinces and that is a decision of the governors and they also determine what the obligation entails.
Currently it seems to me that this message, in terms of in the car and from 2 or more people, only refers to Bangkok because it can only be found on the FB page of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
In your province, the Governor can of course also declare it that way, but I think you will have to inquire locally.
I'm writing it now Tuesday morning at 0700 and maybe later in the day more clarity can come.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215098-face-masks-mandatory-in-bangkok-even-in-your-own-car-bma-confirms
It must be because my wife just told me the same thing earlier
Well, you just change the colors of the regions and that should lead the virus astray.
Wouldn't changing the color of the government from yellow to red help?
Would this measure be an alibi to stop women from talking in the car all the time?
It shouldn't get crazier. I can either put on my mouth mask or my glasses together it will be very dangerous due to fogging of the glasses. But yes it is another nice piggy bank in this bad time for the police.
Loe, you have a very valid point there indeed.
I can't go in the car without my glasses and the fog is constantly on!
Curious what the police on duty have in response to this comment?
Ah … I already know: OK sir you're right so your penalty is not 500 THB but 250 THB …
The problem can easily be solved. I also had the problem with shopping in the supermarket in New Zealand and on the public transport buses. But if you apply the following, you won't have any problems.
Position the mask or cap close to the nose and the goggles more down. Place the mouth mask or cap close to your eyes and wear your glasses a little lower on your nose. This will prevent your glasses from fogging up or getting dirty. Also try not to touch your glasses too often.
That does not work with varilux glasses.
Face masks in cars are dangerous. They are dangerous outside the car.
They stop at most 1% of a virus.
The best way to stop the virus is to stop testing.
Scientists have a different opinion based on multiple studies…..
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8
What strikes me again in the coverage of Bangkok Post, that for the 2nd day in a row they are hedging the situation in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.
Those colors seem like a pretty pointless adjustment to me.
All that happens is a safe green province has no color left, except for the background color of the province name.
Or the name may also disappear, so that only the provinces with infections are still mentioned.
But I don't really see the benefit of that change.
It must be very reassuring for people when they see that the province in which they live is safe.
It would be good if the gendarmerie would finally get to work, but then also in the evening and at night.
Then they can those many hidden but well known by the local gendarmerie, sanook and illegal barbershops and card games and other kind of gambling places, where the Kao Lao flows luxuriantly.
These are breeding grounds where the virus can develop further and spread quickly.
Because no one adheres to that even a rule and control is a joke, often the uncle agent is involved himself as well as important local officials.
Jan Beute.
I read on Thai Visa that a petition has been started to get rid of that construction worker due to failing policy, how could it be otherwise? They can get my support.
Jan Beute.
If you add up Bangkok and the provinces around it (Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan), you have 70% of all infections in Thailand.
Add Chiang Mai to it and you have 80% for a maximum of 15% of the total area.
If they keep the current rules for another 2 weeks, there will be almost no infections outside these centers.
Hopefully common sense prevails a bit and no draconian measures are taken in places where it is not necessary.
The rapid spread of the virus was to be expected. The decision to allow everyone to travel freely with Songkran without any restrictions is asking for trouble.
Here in Thailand, the government is as smart as in many European countries. One very strict lockdown for 14 days and the virus is almost gone. You don't have to study for that. But yes, muddling through in favor of the economy is apparently more important.
quote: …to allow everyone to travel freely with Songkran without any restrictions…
Were you here with Songkran? The number of provinces that had imposed restrictive measures (14 days in quarantine) for people from red areas increased every day and covered almost the entire country. Reason for my wife and me to stay at home and not go to UdonThani. WHETHER people actually went into quarantine is a completely different story.