Thailand: Govt extends emergency to 2021 to curb virus resurgence

• The government will extend a nationwide state of emergency through 15 Jan 20 to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period, an official said.
• A meeting of the Covid-19 task force chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha approved the extension to help authorities enforce mandatory quarantines and streamline disease-control plans, Taweesilp Witsanuyotin, a spokesman for the panel, told reporters in Bangkok on 18 Nov 20.
• The extension, which is expected to be approved by the cabinet on the week of 22 Nov 20, would be the eighth since the initial order in Mar 20. Authorities have gradually been relaxing some virus measures over the past several months to allow businesses to fully reopen and some visitors to return.
• While Thailand has been largely free of community transmission of the deadly virus, the economy has been battered by the hit from the pandemic to the exports and tourism sectors, its two key growth drivers.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2021743/govt-extends-emergency-to-2021-to-curb-virus-resurgence