Covid-19 News & Updates

[buksida]

Work permit holder boost but no news for separated families
The Foreign Ministry has informed Thailand's foreign chambers of commerce that foreigners who have work permits or permission from Thai government agencies will soon be allowed to enter the kingdom.

Currently, Thai nationals who wish to return to the country are being accommodated while some particular groups of foreigners such as diplomats or humanitarian workers are also allowed to enter.

Foreigners with work permits will be allowed to return once the aviation rules change although spouses and families are not included in the stipulation.

"It is for one group of non-Thai nationals, those with work permits. We understand that this has not included every group yet, but it's one good development," said Natapanu Nopakun, deputy spokesman of the ministry.

"We are going to implement step by step so please understand the measures that we have to take," he said adding that the discussion about whether to allow other groups of foreigners, including tourists, is still going on.

Eligible foreign nationals are invited to submit applications at Thai embassies in their countries. They must have health insurance and a health certificate.

Upon entry into the kingdom, non-Thai nationals will be subjected to a 14-day state quarantine at a government-designated or alternative approved facility at their own expense, and obliged to comply with the government's disease-prevention measures, according to information from the ministry.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-families

[Big Boy]

No Daily Brief over the weekend - 1 new infection today.

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[HHTel]

Yeh. 1 more from state quarantine. That makes 5 consecutive days of 'net zero'

[thebears]

Many thanks to the three above, for the information about the checkpoint north of Cha-am.

[migrant]

Work permit holder boost but no news for separated families
The Foreign Ministry has informed Thailand's foreign chambers of commerce that foreigners who have work permits or permission from Thai government agencies will soon be allowed to enter the kingdom.

Currently, Thai nationals who wish to return to the country are being accommodated while some particular groups of foreigners such as diplomats or humanitarian workers are also allowed to enter.

Foreigners with work permits will be allowed to return once the aviation rules change although spouses and families are not included in the stipulation.

"It is for one group of non-Thai nationals, those with work permits. We understand that this has not included every group yet, but it's one good development," said Natapanu Nopakun, deputy spokesman of the ministry.

"We are going to implement step by step so please understand the measures that we have to take," he said adding that the discussion about whether to allow other groups of foreigners, including tourists, is still going on.

Eligible foreign nationals are invited to submit applications at Thai embassies in their countries. They must have health insurance and a health certificate.

Upon entry into the kingdom, non-Thai nationals will be subjected to a 14-day state quarantine at a government-designated or alternative approved facility at their own expense, and obliged to comply with the government's disease-prevention measures, according to information from the ministry.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-families

Anyone got a spare work permit?

[PeteC]

Work permit holder boost but no news for separated families
The Foreign Ministry has informed Thailand's foreign chambers of commerce that foreigners who have work permits or permission from Thai government agencies will soon be allowed to enter the kingdom.............

This is only a comment/opinion. The reading I've been doing indicates that those who are let back in (work permit holders and other with similar credentials) have to show a hefty medical insurance policy for a minimum of 100,000 USD, inclusive of Covid-19 coverage, when applying for entry.

I don't think it's a stretch that this may be applicable to everyone once the re-entry rules are extended to others.

Of course this is probably linked to their previous plan to have all foreign visitors insured, but as it stands now this is insurance these work permit people will have to have before they receive final permission to travel to the country. Nothing about buying a policy from a Thai company upon arrival.

This is something we need to keep our eyes on as it could be a huge financial burden for returning expats with families here.

[dtaai-maai]

Of course this is probably linked to their previous plan to have all foreign visitors insured, but as it stands now this is insurance these work permit people will have to have before they receive final permission to travel to the country. Nothing about buying a policy from a Thai company upon arrival.

This is something we need to keep our eyes on as it could be a huge financial deterrent to returning expats with families here.

As government employees, teachers at state schools and universities, who must make up a significant percentage of WP holders, are covered by government health insurance, which I benefited from greatly.

[PeteC]

This may not be an original thought, but I've come to the conclusion the decision has been made by many/most countries that this disease simply has to run its course and there will be casualties.

World economies simply can't withstand more lockdown, or even much social distancing if the workplace is to return to normalcy.

I would expect a second and perhaps even a third wave but I don't think any country will go back into lockdown and full stop like they've done with this first wave.

[Lost]

This may not be an original thought, but I've come to the conclusion the decision has been made by many/most countries that this disease simply has to run its course and there will be casualties.

World economies simply can't withstand more lockdown, or even much social distancing if the workplace is to return to normalcy.

I would expect a second and perhaps even a third wave but I don't think any country will go back into lockdown and full stop like they've done with this first wave.

I agree. To be fair, it all ended up being much of a nothingness. The thousands of emergency ICU beds erected in the UK weren't remotely close to being needed. This is a good thing, of course.

We learnt that the healthcare system in the UK is more than capable of dealing with Covid-19. We weren't near reaching capacity at any stage. Should there be a 2nd or 3rd wave, we'll be just fine.

We also learnt that the Uk's strict and transparent testing measures are, most probably, the best in the world. We have successfully identified and diagnosed more coronavirus related deaths than everywhere but the US.

Better safe than sorry.

[Dannie Boy]

The only thing I would say about the NHS meeting the challenge of Covid-19 - physically they coped in terms of patient numbers and hospital beds, but in terms of emotional stress on the doctors and nurses, they came very close to breakpoint, so we need to be very cautious of a second (or third) wave.

[Lost]

The only thing I would say about the NHS meeting the challenge of Covid-19 - physically they coped in terms of patient numbers and hospital beds, but in terms of emotional stress on the doctors and nurses, they came very close to breakpoint, so we need to be very cautious of a second (or third) wave.

Not sure what 'breakpoint' looks like to you but...

[Dannie Boy]

I saw many reports on the TV taken at hospitals in the front line and the harrowing effect it was having on the medical staff was clear to see. Day in day out trying to stop death has a huge emotional impact on even those trained to do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lost]

I saw many reports on the TV taken at hospitals in the front line and the harrowing effect it was having on the medical staff was clear to see. Day in day out trying to stop death has a huge emotional impact on even those trained to do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't doubt that. Saw some, too. Vid above was a little light relief as to the reality of hospitals in general here. The handfuls of staff in each hospital working on the virus frontline? Sweating in that full hazmat type suit for 12 hours a day. Heroes. Absolutely!

[Big Boy]

Released by the Thai Embassy in New Delhi, this letter gives an idea of the hoops the first batch of foreigners allowed to travel to Thailand will have to jump through.

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[Big Boy]

4 new cases today:

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