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Quarantine rule still in place, vaccine passport ‘just an idea’ as of now

NationalFeb 08. 2021File Photo

By The Nation

A vaccine passport to avoid 14 days of quarantine is just an idea at the moment as there is no conclusive evidence yet of Covid-19 vaccine’s effectiveness against the virus, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) stated on Sunday.

DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said that exempting Covid-19 vaccinated people from 14 days of quarantine was just an idea because the World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is not enough information available to certify the Covid-19 vaccine as 100 per cent effective in preventing infection.

He said it is believed that in the future the world will adopt the vaccine passport idea for overseas travel.

To strictly control the spread of yellow fever, an international certificate of vaccination or Yellow travel book was adopted for people travelling from Africa and South America. This book must be shown every time when travelling internationally that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

Opas said that the adoption of the vaccine passport is an international rule. According to the International Health Regulation of 2005, the WHO rules when a vaccine passport can be used. While people in many countries are currently getting vaccinated against Covid-19, no other country has adopted this approach.

Therefore, the 14-day quarantine measure is consistent and appropriate for the situation. Opas said that It would be possible for Thailand to adopt it if there was enough information on the Covid-19 vaccine’s efficacy. His said the idea would be placed before the Communicable Disease Committee for consideration again.

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Poll shows majority worried about getting infected in Covid-19 second wave

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

More than 63 per cent of Thais are concerned about contracting the Covid-19 virus while nearly 70 per cent are satisfied with the government’s lockdown measures, the latest NIDA Poll on people’s opinions regarding the new wave of Covid-19 revealed on Sunday.

The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration from February 1-3 among 1,315 Thais above 15 years of age from all provinces.

The survey found that 25.86 per cent of respondents were “highly concerned” about contracting the virus, while 37.79 per cent were “moderately concerned”, as the number of infections during the new wave has been growing more rapidly than during the first wave in early 2020.

Some 18.86 per cent of respondents said they were only a little concerned about being infected but they were still confident that the authorities and medical personnel could contain the outbreak. Some 17.49 per cent said they had no concern, as most people were implementing preventive measures and stayed away from crowded areas to minimise the chance of the virus spreading.

Compared to NIDA’s previous survey in June 2020, the number of respondents who have high to moderate concern has gone up from 46.3 per cent to 63.6 per cent, while the number of respondents who have little to no concern have gone down from 53.7 to 36.4 per cent.

When asked about the government’s measures imposed since December 2020 to contain the outbreak, 27.6 per cent of respondents said they were “highly satisfied”, while 42.13 said they were “moderately satisfied” that the lockdown measures have been swift, comprehensive and not too strict as to affect most people’s livelihood. Some 20.99 per cent of respondents said they were “somewhat dissatisfied” that the lockdown measures on some activities, such as parties and interprovincial travel, were not strict enough. Some 9.28 per cent of respondents said they were not satisfied and wanted the government to impose a nationwide lockdown just like during the first wave.

When asked about their plans of getting a Covid-19 vaccine, 63.12 per cent of respondents said that they were planning to get a free vaccine provided by the government, 23.57 per cent said that they would not get vaccinated, 7.98 per cent said that they would get vaccinated at a private hospital once they get the greenlight from the government, by paying out of their own pocket, while 5.33 per cent of respondents said they do not have a plan yet.

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Herbicide poisons flock of 80 ducks in Lampang

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

More than 80 whistling ducks were found dead in a rice farm in Lampang’s Muang district on Friday.

Initial inspection showed that the duck massacre had been caused by a herbicide used by the farmer, Dr Pattarapol Maneeon, a veterinarian from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

He said the farmer who had rented the plot said he had sprayed herbicide over his rice, but because his neighbours complained about the smell, he diluted it first.

Official investigation showed the ducks had vomited before dying, and that they had not been suffering from any illness, the veterinarian said.

It is believed the birds had died on Wednesday last week, but were only discovered on Friday once the bodies began stinking.

Locals told the press that birds had died near the plot earlier, but this time the number was significantly high.

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New Covid-19 wave pulls retailer confidence in January down to lowest level

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Retailer Sentiment Index has dropped further due to the new wave of Covid-19 infections, the Thai Retailers Association said on Monday.

Yol Phokasub, the association’s chairman, said the index in January slumped to the same level as in April last year, when the country was put under lockdown upon the arrival of Covid-19.

“However, we believe the Retailer Sentiment Index in the next three months will improve in line with expected government measures launched to relieve people’s suffering and stimulate expenses,” he said.

He said the confidence index in same-store sales growth fell in every region, especially in the Central region due to the super spreader event in Samut Sakhon’s Central Shrimp Market. The confidence index by shop type also fell significantly, with the exception of building material stores, which rose sharply due to work-from-home trend.

“Retailers, however, expect confidence indices in the next three months to improve as they anticipate the government to be able to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and launch measures to relieve people’s sufferings and stimulate expenses,” he said.

He added that 90 per cent of retailers want to participate in the government’s measures to stimulate the economy, such as “Khon La Khreung” (Let’s Go Halves) economic stimulus package.

“Meanwhile, they advised the government to boost their liquidity, such as reducing taxes, granting soft loans and offering hourly employment,” he added.

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186 new Covid-19 cases reported, mostly in Samut Sakhon

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 186 new cases.

Ten overseas travellers tested positive in quarantine facilities.

Samut Sakhon had 132 cases of the 141 exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, followed by four in Pathum Thani, and three in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 35 cases — 31 in Samut Sakhon and four in Samut Songkhram.

Nine Thais returning from Germany, India, Malaysia, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom tested positive in quarantine, as did a US national flying in from his country, in a Bangkok alternate state quarantine hotel.

Meanwhile, 468 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 23,557. Of these, 21,006 had been contracted locally, including 13,383 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,551 were returnees. So far, 17,410 have recovered and been discharged, 6,068 patients are still in hospital (2,497 in hospitals and 3,571 in field hospitals) and the death toll remains at 79.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 106.68 million (up by 345,735), 78.53 million have recovered, 25.83 million are active cases (103,758 in severe condition) and 2.33 million have died (up by 7,783).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases. The US has the most cases with 27.61 million, followed by India 10.84 million, Brazil 9.52 million, Russia 3.97 million and the United Kingdom 3.95 million.

In Bangkok, testing of 13,480 people at 123 factories in six districts led to finding 54 patients, representing a 0.40 per cent infection rate.

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Schools in Mae Sot closed from Feb 8-12 after 14 Covid-19 cases found

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Eleven School and Child Development Centres in Mae Sot City Municipality in Tak province as well as private schools will be closed from February 8-12 due to increasing Covid-19 cases.

Students will be taught online, until schools reopen on February 15.

Recently, health workers collected over 2,400 samples of Thai and Myanmar people in the Sri Moi market and four nearby areas. A total of 14 people were found to be infected with Covid-19. Most of them were Burmese who had set up food stalls in Phacharoen market. Mae Sot hospital staff and the public health team reached the patients’ homes and moved those at risk into quarantine, while staff were disinfected.

The 14 cases were detected after a 78-year-old man tested positive, and the infection spread from him to a family of 22 people living in the Sri Moi market.

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Red Line trial run set for March 26

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Work on the Red Line commuter rail project on the Bang Sue-Taling Chan and Bang Sue-Rangsit sections as well as the Bang Sue Grand Station is not yet complete, it was revealed at a recent meeting attended by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is working on details of additional issues, such as the transfer of passengers from Bangkok railway station to Bang Sue Grand Station, managing commercial areas within Bang Sue Central Station and the site of 12 stations along the railways’ track, and the auction of nine land plots around Bang Sue Grand Station for nine plots, etc. The next meeting on March 4 will discuss these issues again.

The SRT laid out a timeline for the opening of the service in three periods. On March 26, the SRT will allow people to join the trial service in some stations just for one day after which it will be closed for further testing of the system.

On July 28, there will be a soft opening for citizens, and commercial operations will begin at the end of November.

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SET expected to rise on hopes of US approval of stimulus package

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 13.72 points, or 0.92 per cent, to 1,510.33 in the morning session on Monday.

The SET Index is expected to rise to the resistance line between 1,507 and 1,515 points on hopes of progress in the rollout of US economic relief package worth US$1.9 trillion, a Krungsri Securities analyst said.

He added that the index also gained positive sentiment from the rise in oil price amid increasing demand in line with economic recovery.

He recommended that investors buy:

▪︎ PTTGC, TOP, IVL, EPG, VNT, CBG, ROJNA, TVO, STGT, HTC, CPF, RCL, PSL, SYNEX, COM7, XO, WICE, JMT, JMART, SINGER, MTC, SAWAD and KCE, whose fourth-quarter results are expected to improve.

▪︎ CBG, ICHI, OSP, SAPPE, RBF, DOD and PTG, which benefit from positive news on hemp.

Meanwhile, Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) expected the SET Index this week to have support at 1,485 and 1,470 points, but resistance at 1,510 and 1,525 points, respectively.

KResearch said key matters to watch include the Covid-19 situation, fourth quarter results of Thai listed companies in 2020, progress in the approval of US stimulus measures, plus US-China relations.

“US economic data that warrants close monitoring include January consumer price index (CPI) and Weekly Initial Jobless Claims. Other important factors that warrant close monitoring include China’s January CPI and producer price jndex (PPI), Japan’s January PPI, plus the euro-zone’s industrial production for December 2020,” KResearch said.

The SET Index closed at 1,496.61 on Friday, up 13.63 points or 0.92 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt79.35 billion with an index high of 1,498.35 and a low of 1,488.73.

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Bangkok among 25 provinces with unsafe air quality

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Air pollution in 25 provinces hit unsafe levels on Monday morning, the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation reported.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50μg/m3 or below.

The 25 provinces are Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Ratchaburi, Rayong and Nong Khai.

PM2.5 readings as of Monday morning:

North: 39 to 77μg/m3.

Northeast: 19 to 61μg/m3.

Central region and West: 32 to 68μg/m3.

East: 35 to 61μg/m3.

South: 4 to 22μg/m3.

Bangkok and its vicinity: 34 to 70μg/m3.

People in areas where PM2.5 pollution is bad, especially the elderly, children, and patients with respiratory diseases, have been advised to monitor their health and reduce time spent on outdoor activities.

The PM2.5 situation can be followed on Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com websites, or via Air4Thai and AirBKK smartphone applications.

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Baht rises against dollar, expected to stay in narrow range

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.05 to the US dollar on Monday morning, strengthening from Friday’s close of 30.09.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.90 and 30.15 on Monday and 29.95 to 30.10 this week, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He predicted that the baht would move in the range and weaken only slightly, while the dollar strengthened.

The main issues the market will monitor this week are the US stimulus package and financial results of listed companies in the last quarter of 2020.

The US economy is gradually recovering and initial jobless claims are steadily falling. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment in February was positive at 80.7 points, from consumers’ hopes of a stimulus package and vaccine distribution.

In the UK, the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to shrink the economy by 11 per cent in 2020 and 2 per cent in the last quarter.

However, institutional investors surveyed by Sentix expect a recovery in the next six months.