Following the announcement of the first Omicron case in Thailand, the government has reassured the general public of stringent screening measures taken at air borders, while urging the general public to continue practicing personal health and safety protocols.
The government has reassured the general public of the stringent and robust disease control measures which are taking place at international airports, following the finding of the first COVID-19 patient with the Omicron variant among international visitors.
Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has been made aware of the situation by the Ministry of Public Health, while health authorities and the medical community will continue to monitor the development closely.
Mr. Thanakorn said no changes are being made to the current COVID-19 response measures at the moment, with any changes proposed must be reviewed first by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
He said the Prime Minister has expressed his confidence towards Thailand’s public health and disease surveillance systems that can quickly identify and isolate suspected cases while asking the general public not to panic over the report of the first Omicron case.
He said the Prime Minister has urged the general public to continue strictly performing personal health and safety measures, as well as for unvaccinated people to get their jabs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary Suttipong Juljarern urged governors of southern border provinces of Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Satun to suppress illegal entries across the natural Thailand-Malaysia border.
The governors are instructed to arrange proactive testing, particularly in highly populated areas, as well as to encourage unvaccinated villagers to get a vaccine. (NNT)