Open again, Thailand could contain a second Covid-19 wave

It is back to the future in Thailand. The Kingdom launched a near-complete national reopening on July 1, and is in a strong position to avoid a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an analysis done by Nikkei of Japan.

After 30 days of recording no new locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 infections, Thailand’s government announced all businesses and activities could reopen and resume operations. However, the government urged that every person and company maintain social distancing measures to stay on guard against a possible second wave of the pandemic.

The major exception to the return to a semblance of normalcy concerns travel to the Kingdom. The authorities will use a phased system to allow entry by foreign non-residents. In the first phase, business representatives, skilled workers, experts, people with Thai families, teachers, students and patients who agree to quarantine will be permitted to visit.

Should this proceed smoothly, tourists and other types of visitors will be allowed to enter in a subsequent phase. The decision will rest on whether the virus remains under control, and no second wave emerges.

Thailand stands a good chance of avoiding that second wave, according to analysts at Nikkei of Japan. They concluded that both the Kingdom and South Korea are well-positioned to prevent any resurgence.

Nikkei’s analysis of global government responses, done in conjunction with Oxford University, revealed a clear pattern: swift action was the key to successful containment.

The analysts created an index of country responses based on a host of variables, including the type of political system, the level of economic development, and the willingness of citizens and businesses to accept restrictions.

The Nikkei noted that Thailand endured economic damage for an extended period. Nonetheless, the government’s quick action and cooperation from Thailand’s people were critical to the Kingdom’s success in containing that spread of the virus. Those same factors bode well for avoiding a second wave.

Photo courtesy of  https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/news/detail/TCATG200630155446462