Thailand fears 'tens of thousands' of new Covid-19 cases, weighs curbs

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Thailand is considering measures such as limiting large gatherings and banning alcohol sales in restaurants to discourage customers to avert a wave of coronavirus infections, a health official said.

The country reported 3,899 cases on Wednesday, up from an average of 2,600 daily cases towards the end of last year, and the Omicron variant itself has tripled from last month's holiday period, government data showed.

If measures like wearing masks and regular testing were not followed, infections could reach the “tens of thousands in the next two weeks,” Sumanee Watcharasin, a spokeswoman for the country's coronavirus taskforce, said.

She said the government will decide on new curbs on Friday and also review the suspended “Test & Go” scheme that allowed vaccinated arrivals to skip quarantine.

A health worker from Zendai organisation in personal protective equipment takes a swab sample from a man for a rapid antigen test amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Bangkok on Jan 5. — Reuters
A health worker from Zendai organisation in personal protective equipment takes a swab sample from a man for a rapid antigen test amid the coronavirus disease outbreak in Bangkok on Jan 5. — Reuters

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