Health Ministry advises 7-day work-from-home policy after Songkran holiday

Thailand’s Ministry of Health is advising companies to have their employees work from home for 7 days, according to Chakrarat Pittawawonganon of the Department of Disease Control. The advice is designed to prevent an upsurge in infections after the recent Songkran holiday.

“After the Songkran festival ends, the number of cases may increase by 20-30 percent.”

According to a Bangkok Post report, Chakrarat says businesses and organizations, including state agencies, should adopt a 5-7 day work-from-home policy. Employees are also encouraged to self-screen regularly with antigen test kits.

Chakrarat is also calling on people in high-risk groups to make sure they get their booster shots. These include people with underlying health conditions, people over 60 and pregnant women. He adds that the data shows that only 37% of people in these groups received a booster dose, well below the government’s 60% target.

In related news, the CCSA will meet this week to review the country’s Covid-19 situation after the Songkran holiday. Supot Malaniyom says the government’s Covid-19 task force will decide on the next steps depending on the number of cases. The goal remains to declare Covid-19 endemic by July. Among the points to be discussed are the reopening of schools for the new term and a possible revision of travel restrictions.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has already asked the Ministry of Health and provincial authorities to increase testing for Covid-19 and prepare adequate isolation facilities to deal with a potential increase in the number of infections.

THE SOURCE: Bangkok Post

Maria J. Book