Thailand will downgrade Covid-19 from the category of “dangerous” communicable diseases to “watch for” diseases from October.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, this change is due to the fact that the virus situation in the country has started to stabilize.
The measure, which will move Covid-19 from the same category as plague and smallpox to the same level as influenza and dengue fever, is intended to reflect the reality of the situation in Thailand, said Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The move reflects the preparedness of Thailand’s health system, the availability of treatment and the “appropriate self-protective behavior” of the country’s people, Anutin said in a statement.
Thailand will also adjust the country’s post-pandemic management plan to allow private hospitals to start sourcing antiviral drugs directly “soon”, rather than going through government channels, he added.
Authorities said last week that Thailand should start seeing a decline in severe Covid-19 cases and deaths in mid-August.
On July 1, Thailand lifted almost all travel restrictions and the requirement to wear a mask outdoors.
Source : Bloomberg