1. This afternoon, the Prime Minister chaired a General Meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), to assess the current public health and disease control measures in place in accordance with recent developments in the covid situation in Thailand. CCSA noted that the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities is on a downward trend, albeit a gradual one.

Therefore, in order to ensure the continuation of this downward trend and a smooth transition towards the step by step reopening of the country in October, the CCSA agreed to extend the existing categorization of disease control zones and continue to adopt the same related measures already in place for another two weeks until 30 September 2021.

As such, the number of provinces in each of the disease control zones and current measures according to each zone remain the same.

The CCSA emphasized the importance of creating COVID-19 free settings in business and work places and for everyone to practice universal precaution.

2. Yesterday, Thailand administered 698,621 doses of vaccines, increasing the accumulated number of vaccinations to over 38.87 million doses.

3. The number of new confirmed cases today is 14,403 cases. There were 15,610 new recoveries, bringing the accumulated total of recoveries to 1,169,965. Active cases stand at 141,642. 189 new fatalities were registered, with an accumulated total of 13,826.

Bangkok still has the highest infections today at 3,495 cases, followed by Samut Prakarn (1,037 cases), Chonburi (802), Samut Sakhon (678), and Ratchaburi (615).

4. In October 2021, Thailand will receive 24 million doses of vaccines. Thailand plans to inoculate at least 50 per cent of the population in every province with priority given to the elderly, those with the listed seven underlying medical conditions, and pregnant women.

Eligible groups for vaccination have also been expanded to include those aged 12 to 17 in preparation for the start of the new academic year, starting with the 29 provinces in the maximum and strictly controlled area.

Academic institutions and schools will manage vaccinations for minors and children with the consent of their parents or guardians.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will initiate vaccinations for students aged between 12-17 years old who are attending the BMA’s 437 affiliated schools starting on 21 September 2021.

5. Thailand will move forward with a combined formula of vaccines from different vaccine manufacturers. These combined formulas include Sinovac- AstraZeneca, and AstraZeneca-Pfizer. Children will be administered double doses of Pfizer vaccines. Moreover, those who have received two doses of Sinovac in the period from the end of March to May will receive a booster dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer. Where applicable, administration of double doses of vaccines from the same manufacturer will continue to be used (AstraZeneca-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-Pfizer).

6. On Wednesday 8 September, Thailand received an additional 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from Japan.

Japan has also announced a plan to contribute 5.5 million USD worth of COVID-19 related equipment, including 775 oxygen concentrators, vaccine storage and transportation systems to Thailand.

7. People who require a vaccine certificate from Thailand for travel purposes may apply for this certificate at the following agencies (1) the International Communicable Disease Control Port, Suvarnabhumi Airport (2) the Travel Clinic at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, and (3) the Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control.

Full CCSA English briefing can be viewed here >>> https://fb.watch/7WYqD0oWo2/

Source: CCSA, Ministry of Public Health, Public Relations Department, and Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.