Thailand sees the end of Covid-19 measures: Face masks may be taken off half a month earlier
As daily COVID-19 infections continue to fall, optimism is growing that the disease will soon be labeled endemic. The Ministry of Health now expects the transition to the endemic phase to take place half a month earlier than expected. The mouth mask advice will therefore be limited.
Dr Kiatiphum Wongrajit, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, says the COVID situation continues to show improvement. Health authorities are therefore being asked to prepare plans for the transition of the disease to endemic status.
Dr Kiatiphum indicates that the symptoms of Omicron in Thailand are less severe than the seasonal flu, with most of those infected either being asymptomatic or showing typical flu-like symptoms. He says that the number of vaccinations has also increased at a constant pace.
He added that more and more restrictions will be lifted so that people can live almost as before, but under new advice.
Mouth masks will then only be mandatory in poorly ventilated or overcrowded areas, as well as when in contact with patients.
Source: NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand
Ehhh when?Half a month earlier than what date?I'm leaving in 2 days and it would be nice if I didn't have to wear one of these all the time haha
That could be mid-June. The plan was to declare Covid-1 as endemic on July 19, and then the Thailand Pass would also expire. But it's Thailand, so wait and see.
Obviously! Unfortunately I'm going back again but we're going to experience it
If I'm not mistaken, there is no mask duty in Thailand at all. And certainly no law to penalize not wearing it. It's an advice.
What's different is that the Thais look at you a bit strange if you don't wear the mask because basically everyone wears it here in my area (the countryside of Udon).
e.g. I always keep the mask in the car and last week I forgot to put on my mask when I went shopping. Nobody refused me…..
Chris, there is indeed a duty throughout Thailand, even a fine if I'm not mistaken of 10.000 Baht for not wearing it, the Thai is not used to telling someone else what you should or shouldn't do, you know. known loss of vision. Greetings Leen
Not a legal requirement indeed, chris – the Ministry of Public Health has admitted:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1249008-moph-confirms-no-legal-obligations-for-people-to-wear-face-masks/
Wearing face masks in public is still a requirement under Thailand's emergency decree. The emergency decree is in place at least until the end of May. Different provincial public relations departments also encourage residents to keep wearing face masks when going out.
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-department-of-health-reveals-5-10-of-population-refuse-to-wear-face-masks
Our apartment owner said it was NOT mandatory but for your own health. In stores you did not enter without a temperature measurement and a face mask, in the catering industry you had to wear a face mask in most places upon entering and once inside you were no longer required, even if you went to a toilet, for example.
The situation here in rural Udon is:
– basically everyone wears a mask in public space
– the gel at the door of the store has almost disappeared, or is empty or is hardly used
– the standing thermometer usually does not work because the plug is not plugged in.
Rodney,,
I saw many tourists walking without a face mask in both Bangkok and Hua Hin. The police did not respond to that, which surprised me. Apparently people take it more seriously.
That would be great, thanks for your response, I'm going to experience it, the biggest concern now is the enormous waiting times at Schiphol pffffff
“Wearing face masks in public is still mandatory under Thailand's emergency ordinance. The emergency ordinance will in any case be in force until the end of May. Several provincial information services are also encouraging residents to continue wearing face masks when they go outside.”
say then.
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-department-of-health-reveals-5-10-of-population-refuse-to-wear-face-masks
Of course no one refuses you and being pulled from the supermarket by your ankles and beaten like in the Netherlands.
Or being thrown on the ticket a minute late by a Boa [investigating officer]
That people think there you have another foreigner who knows better will certainly be the case.
In Phuket, too, you hardly see anyone with a face mask
Police think it's okay!
In Hua Hin and the surrounding area, almost 99% (my estimate) of people still wear face masks. I also see the foreigners walking around here wearing face masks.
It's still duty, as long as I don't hear the contrary and I'm not going to ask "friends".
But I also wear the face mask for the most part on the handlebars while cycling and have been doing so for over a year. When I get off and go somewhere for a coffee, I do it for a while until I sit at the table.
I find it useful, when I forget to put my (new) teeth in again hahaha... It is also useful on the motorcycle against flying insects...
The situation here in rural Udon is:
– basically everyone wears a mask in public space
– the gel at the door of the store has almost disappeared, or is empty or is hardly used
– the standing thermometer usually does not work because the plug is not plugged in.