A Thai medical doctor who specializes in epidemiology and an advisor to the Ministry of Public Health on Sunday voiced concerns about the Thai government’s plan to lift the ban on foreign arrivals, allowing tourists to return to Thailand through the bubble travel plan.
He told the media of his concerns after Thai health authorities discovered two foreigners who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now in quarantine in Thailand.
“The Thai government’s bubble travel ban is too risky and may cause a second wave of COVID-19 cases in Thailand,” said Associate Professor Dr. Thira Woratanarat of the Medical Science Faculty at Chulalongkorn University.
The Bubble Travel plan allows entry of inbound travelers from countries considered to have the pandemic under control.
Thailand is currently enjoying more than 65 days free of COVD-19 local transmission.
Thira suggested that Thailand should wait for an extra six months before even considering the bubble plan.
He cited the outbreak still prevalent in Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Australia and China’s Hong Kong, and warned Thais from traveling outbound.
The cumulative infections in Thailand to date are 3,317, with 3,142 recoveries and 117 still in hospital.
