Thailand: Lockdown to last until 31 Aug 21

• The government has decided to extend lockdown measures until the end of Aug 21 in the face of rising Covid-19 infections, but banks and financial institutions located in department stores will be allowed to reopen, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri on 16 Aug 21.
• However, starting 17 Aug 21, however, banks and financial institutions in malls will be allowed allowed to resume operations.
• Restrictions that were put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19 Bangkok and 28 other “dark-red” provinces Jul 21 were going to expire 17 Aug 21. With the extension, everyone living in high-risk provinces will be required to abide by the 9pm and 4am curfew until the end Aug 21, Mr Anucha said.
• In order to help flatten the infection curve, the government will also ramp up public testing, especially at businesses which employ more than 50 workers and require workers to be physically present.
• According to Mr Anucha, the CCSA has inked a vaccine swap deal with Bhutan and agreed to accept monoclonal antibody medications from Germany to treating critically-ill Covid-19 patients.
• The spokesman said Gen Prayut stressed the need to procure more vaccines, speed up inoculations and conduct more Covid-19 testing to effectively contain the pandemic. “The government remains committed to vaccinating as many people in vulnerable groups as possible — at least 80% in Bangkok, 70% in 12 high-risk provinces, and at least 50% in other areas,” he said. The ‘bubble-and-seal’ method will also be implemented at more factories, he said.
• On 16 Aug 21, Thailand logged a record high of 239 Covid deaths, and 20,128 new cases.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2166175/lockdown-to-last-until-aug-31

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2166551/record-239-covid-deaths-20-128-new-cases