With the Covid-19 situation steadily improving, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government has eased a raft of health measures and allowed many entertainment industries to come back to life.
As of yesterday, venues such as pubs, bars and nightclubs in 31 provinces including Bangkok resumed operation with their service hours extended to midnight, while the country has gradually reopened to foreign visitors.
In Bangkok, officials have put in place guidelines that require entertainment venues to seek the Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus certification by the Public Health Ministry and get permission from local district offices before resuming business under a Covid-free setting.
It seems more good news is coming. The Public Health Ministry is considering this week if it will downgrade the Covid-19 situation to alert Level 2. The agency has shut down its Mor Chana app as it prepares to declare the disease endemic.
Also from yesterday, daily reports about the virus seem to be shifting to the number of symptomatic patients in hospital, including seriously ill patients and patients on ventilators, but excluding those in home isolation. However the ministry will continue to update the public on the number of daily fatalities. The number of deaths is now fluctuating between 20-30. Yesterday there were 28, up from 21 reported the previous day.
With the new counting system, the number of cases may seem lower than they really are, which could create a sense of false optimism. But people should not forget the decision was prompted by the need to restore the economy, rather than purely focusing on health considerations.
Only time will tell if the coronavirus no longer poses a serious threat, and until then it is incumbent upon the government to communicate clearly with the public and businesses regarding the "do's and don'ts" of preventing another wave of the pandemic. Everyone must stay vigilant and prepare for the worst-case scenario; otherwise, the country could plunge into another round of lockdown-related hardship.
The rules and guidelines on mask wearing -- as well as antigen testing -- that will be announced this week should be realistic and practical, enough to keep the virus under control and allow people to resume their normal lives while reviving the moribund economy.
All businesses, not only night entertainment venues, should be encouraged to avoid organising crowded events at all times and maintain strict hygiene standards, with the use of alcohol gel and frequent hand-washing in place. With regard to this, spot checks should be carried out and those who ignore the guidelines will merit a slap on the wrist, at least.
Moreover, the government must do its utmost to curb graft and kickbacks, which have been blamed for the so-called the Thong Lor incident, in reference to the origin of the third wave of the pandemic in April last year involving at least two entertainment venues that breached anti-Covid regulations.
Meanwhile, a sluggish vaccination campaign has added to the crisis, as fatalities and infection caseloads rose sharply, prompting the government to declare a lockdown. It took several months before the authorities managed to regain control of the situation, while the ensuing economic losses caused long-term effects.
All involved should learn an important lesson from the Thong Lor incident, and carry out their duties diligently. There is no place for complacency when dealing with a virus as unforgiving as this one, and with a survival instinct second to none.
