Civil servants have been told to work from home for at least 14 days or until the Covid-19 situation improves, a news source revealed on Friday.
The source cited an urgent order issued by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Chatchai Promlert, urging agencies under the ministry to consider letting civil servants work from home for at least 14 days or until the Covid-19 situation improves. Each agency could issue specific regulations that are suitable for their organisation structure and in the context of their work.
“The order came after reports of government officials contracting Covid-19 during the third wave of the outbreak in Thailand since late March, which could increase the risk of the virus spreading among government agencies,” added the source.
The baht opened at 31.17 to the US dollar on Friday, strengthening from its close of 31.49 on Monday.
The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.15 and 31.25 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.
He expected the baht to strengthen due to the weakening dollar. However if the Covid-19 situation in Thailand intensifies, foreign investors will sell Thai assets, causing the baht to weaken or strengthen only slightly.
Poon added that the baht could weaken to a low of 31.40 to the US dollar, as several companies have purchased foreign currencies to pay dividend.
Seventeen money changers have left the industry since the Covid-19 outbreak, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) reported recently.
The central bank said that as of March 31, there were 2,365 registered money changers, down from 2,382 before the pandemic.
In 2018, the BOT reported a total of 2,260 money changers, up 112 over the previous year.
Total transactions in the money changing business in 2020 slumped by 60.66 per cent year on year, while transactions in 2018 had increased 3.74 per cent year on year.
Pol Colonel Sihanart Prayoonrat, president of the Thai Association of Foreign Exchange, said that the number of transactions at money changers could increase again after vaccinated foreign tourists were granted access to the country.
“Living and spending in Thailand still depends on cash, as credit cards or internet banking are not accepted everywhere,” he said.
“However, it is undeniable that the trend of electronic money is growing, which poses a huge disruption for the money changing business. Furthermore, during the outbreak more people tend to avoid holding cash due to fear of the virus spreading,” he added.
“The association is planning to enourage money changers to also offer electronic transaction services at their counters to keep their businesses afloat, which will also help prepare their customers for a cashless society.”
Every Thai at risk of contracting Covid-19 can get a free test and treatment at any public or private hospital.
The National Health Security Office (NHSO), the governmental organisation overseeing the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), will cover the cost of coronavirus health services for all Thai people regardless of whether they are registered for healthcare schemes.
People are considered to be at risk of Covid-19 when they show one or more of the following symptoms: fever with a temperature over 37.5 degrees Celsius, cough, runny nose, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, and shortness of breath.
They must also have a history of linked to one of the following three risk factors:
• Have visited Covid-19 high-risk areas in the 14 days before developing any of the symptoms listed above. High-risk areas include crowded venues such as fresh markets, department stores, hospitals, entertainment venues, and public transport hubs.
• Have stayed in or visited places/countries with Covid-19 cases in the 14 days before developing the symptoms listed above.
• Work in quarantine facilities.
NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammatach-aree this week expressed concern over the new wave of Covid-19, which spread from a cluster discovered at entertainment venues in Bangkok.
Many cases have tested positive for the UK strain of the virus, which spreads faster than strains previously found in Thailand and can result in symptomless infections.
“If you have a history of visiting Covid-19 affected areas or contact with people who have visited those areas, even if you have no symptoms, you can request a free test from any public or private hospital. Don’t worry about the service fees,” said Dr Jadej.
The Public Health Ministry, which runs public hospitals, and the Private Hospital Association, have assured that health workers will provide Covid-19 testing to anyone at risk of contracting the virus. They will receive free treatment if they test positive. The NHSO will reimburse hospital operators for any related fees.
Dr Jadej Thammatach
Meanwhile migrant workers will have their medical fees covered by the Department of Disease Control.
“I can assure that all health workers will provide the best services. If you have one of the symptoms, with a history of visiting Covid-19 affected areas, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor. It’s better to reach out to hospitals before you become severely sick,” said Dr Jadej.
If you have any inquiries, contact NHSO’s 1330 Hotline or DDC’s 1422 Hotline.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is inviting its members to become “hospitels” by turning their hotels into temporary hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients, association president Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi said on Thursday.
“The move aims to reduce crowdedness at hospitals and promote continuous care for Covid-19 patients after new cases increased rapidly since late March,” she said.
The Ministry of Public Health has set the following guidelines for hotels that wish to join the programme:
• Must have more than 30 rooms
• Pass the ASQ (alternative state quarantine) evaluation
• Must have evidence of acknowledgement by surrounding communities
• Must have one nurse for 20 patients, one IC (infection control) nurse, one doctor, one pharmacist, one radiologist and one clinical psychologist
• Must have a digital thermometer and pulse oximeter for each patient, and a portable x-ray
• Can take care of patients who have been hospitalised for 5-7 days and display no progression of symptoms
• Patients must agree to stay at the hotel and can take care of themselves
“Hotels that pass the criteria will be visited by staff from public or private hospitals, such as Phyathai Hospital, Paolo Hospital, BDMS Hospital to provide necessary advice,” Marisa added.
Dr Thares Karasnairaviwong, director-general of the Department of Health Services Support, added that currently 23 hotels are registered with the department to take care of Covid-19 patients, with combined capacity of 4,900 beds, while almost 2,000 patients are now being treated at these hotels.
Bangkokians returning after Songkran visit to provinces can self-assess for infection risk
NationalApr 16. 2021Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang
By THE NATION
Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang on Thursday said that people who visited their hometowns during the Songkran holidays and were now returning to Bangkok should perform Covid-19 self-evaluation via the website: http://bkkcovid19.bangkok.go.th/.
“This platform has been set up to help prevent the spread of the outbreak by providing necessary information for disease tracing by health officials,” he said.
“It is easy to use. People need to scan a QR code to verify themselves, and input their personal data and travel history. The system will calculate the risk level for each person and give instructions on the steps to follow. People who have low risk will be told to self-quarantine for 14 days, while those who have high risk will be visited by health officials who will perform a swab test free of charge.
“People should also adhere to the ‘D-M-H-T-T-A’ principles advised by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, which are: distancing from others, wearing a face mask, washing hands, checking body temperature, testing for Covid-19, and using applications such as Thai Chana and Mor Chana,” he said.
The governor added that people could also contact Bangkok’s health office for advice and enquiries about Covid-19 on tel: 0-2203-2393, 0-2203-2396, 0-2245-4964 or 097 046 7549, which is available 24/7, or contact Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
A heat low cell covers upper Thailand, while the southerly and southeasterly winds blow over the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the East regions, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday.
A hot day with haze is likely over the area with thundershowers and gusty winds in some areas. Meanwhile, the southwesterly wind blowing across the Andaman Sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand brings thundershowers and isolated heavy rains, the department said.
In addition, another moderate high-pressure system from China will extend to the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea, while the westerly trough will move through the North, the upper Northeast and the Central regions from April 16-19.
Hot weather with outbreaks of summer storms, scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail are expected over upper Thailand.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: A hot day with haze and thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees Celsius, highs of 35-39°C.
Northeast: A hot day with haze and thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible; temperature lows of 22-25°, highs of 35-39°C.
Central: Hot day with haze and thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 35-37°C.
East: Hot day with haze and thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 33-37°C; waves less than a metre high and over a metre during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with haze and thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.
More than 3,700 drivers have been caught driving under the influence (DUI) during the first five days of the long Songkran holiday.
The Department of Probation reports that from April 10 to 14, a total of 3,741 drivers were handed suspended sentences for DUI offences.
“Defendants in 3,730 DUI cases had consumed alcohol, while in the other 11 offenders had taken narcotic substances,” said department director-general Witthawan Sunthornkajit. April 14 saw the highest number of cases at 1,648, he added.
Provinces with the most Songkran DUI cases are Chaiyaphum (290), followed by Chiang Rai (264) and Buri Ram (251).
“Nineteen defendants were ordered to wear electronic monitoring tags and banned from leaving home between 11pm and 4am for 15 days, while their driver’s licences have been suspended for six months,” Witthawan said.
Those who show signs of alcoholism during their probation will be sent to court-mandated therapy, he added.
Witthawan said his department has deployed 439 volunteers – staff and DIU offenders under probation – at 65 police checkpoints nationwide to hand out drinking water and pamphlets on Covid-19 prevention to motorists.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has deployed more biohazard bins in public spaces for infected waste such as medical masks.
Accumulated infected waste from hospitals and medical facilities has risen by over 1 tonne per day – from 11.48 to 12.92 tonnes – since the third wave of Covid-19 hit Thailand, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmueang said on Thursday.
To tackle the increase in Covid waste, the BMA has installed an extra 1,000 orange biohazard bins across the capital, he added.
The orange bins have been placed outside government buildings, schools, hospitals, temples, shopping complexes, markets and parks.
The governor also urged people to dispose of their used medical masks in separate bags, marked so that rubbish collectors can identify them.
Studies have found that the latest wave of Covid-19 infections has been sparked by people aged between 20 and 29, who are very active and have lots of contacts, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said.
He also pointed out that entire families getting infected is also becoming more common.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has predicted five scenarios after the Songkran break. They are:
• An average of 9,140 infections daily, if entertainment venues were allowed to stay open.
• If entertainment venues were only closed in high-risk provinces, then up to 2,996 infections could be expected daily.
• Closing entertainment venues and cutting down on private parties would cut the daily average to 934 infections.
• Closing entertainment venues, cancelling private parties and cutting down public gatherings would bring the daily average down to 593 cases.
• Closing entertainment venues, cancelling private parties, cutting down on group activities and getting people to work from home would bring the daily average down to 391 cases.
However, the ministry warned that if no measures were in place and people continued leading normal lives, then the number of Covid-19 infections daily would surpass 20,000.
Chatchai Promlert, Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi
Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang
Witthawan Sunthornkajit
