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Health Experts Warn Against Reopening Thailand Next Month

Two prominent doctors based in Thailand have advised the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) against reopening the country to vaccinated foreign tourists in October, warning that it is too early to do so.

Dr. Thira Woratanarat, an associate professor at the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, urged local authorities to delay Thailand’s reopening schedule. He explained that domestic infection rates could increase as the government admits more tourists.

Citing his academic research results, the doctor speculated online that the government’s reopening strategies, such as the Sandbox scheme and the 7+7 extensions, could worsen the impact of heavy outbreaks.

According to Dr. Thira, two factors increase the risk of outbreaks. He explained that the first factor was international travelers who could carry and transmit the virus.

While coronavirus testing and a mandatory 14-day quarantine can reduce the risk to some extent, tourists could become infected while traveling or staying in the holiday area and go on to infect others.

Dr. Thira also said that allowing tourist destinations to reopen and reconvening gatherings of people could bring more crowds to touristic spots and venues. This could lead to a breach of social distancing guidelines and increase the risk of spreading the virus.

He also mentioned that a large number of people would likely try to return to reopened provinces to search for work in high-risk locations.

The infection rates would be expected to rise sharply in the reopened areas after around 6 to 8 weeks, the professor added.

“Apart from more infections, more number of both sick and dead people could also result in the emergence of new mutants that may be resistant to vaccines and drug,” he went on, recommending that the government uses the last quarter to improve the speed of the vaccination campaign and attain higher inoculation rates.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prasit Watanapa, from Siriraj Hospital and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, also warned on the reopening plans, which coincided with Dr. Thira’s remarks.

He said he thinks it is too early to reopen Thailand for tourists and travelers, adding that he was concerned about possible variants or mutations of the virus returning to Thailand via foreign visitors.

But Dr. Prasit took a less strict stance and supported business leaders, saying that he understands the local economy’s grievances.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and CCSA will meet this weekend to officially present Thailand’s tourism full reopening plan.