BANGKOK: Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) today proposed to extend the state of emergency for another month, until June 30, to help curb the Covid-19 pandemic in the kingdom.
As Thailand continues to record low numbers in new cases, NSC secretary-general Gen Somsak Rungsita said the measure is necessary to prevent a second outbreak in the kingdom which has recorded 3,307 cases and 56 fatalities since January.
Somsak who chaired a meeting on easing Covid-19 restrictions and measures today, said the committee recommended to extend the state of emergency which is due on May 31, for another month.
“The Covid-19 situation in Thailand has improved, however the situation across the globe remains a concern as the number of confirmed cases continues to increase.
“To prevent a second wave of Covid-19, the third and fourth phases of easing restrictions and measures in June will better curb the pandemic,” he told a press conference here.
Somsak said Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha will chair the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting tomorrow to make a decision on the extension before forwarding it to the cabinet for approval next Tuesday.
Thailand declared a state of emergency from March 26 to April 30 and extended it to May 31. It began its first phase of relaxation on May 3 in which six types of businesses and venues were reopened while the second phase started on May 17.
Meanwhile, CCSA spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said Thailand reported three new Covid-19 cases and zero fatality in the last 24 hours, bringing its tally to 3,037 cases with the death toll remaining at 56.
A total of 2,897 patients have recovered and were discharged from hospitals while 84 remain warded. – May 21, 2020, Bernama
