The governor of Chon Buri yesterday denied the province was under lockdown and said local authorities were actually considering an easing of restrictions to draw visitors back to the seaside province.
Pakkhathorn Thianchai, who is also chairman of the provincial communicable disease committee, said Chon Buri was also open to outsiders and they would not have to self-quarantine when they returned home.
The province saw a sharp spike in Covid-19 infections on Wednesday — there were 108 new cases in a single day — but the number dropped sharply to 16 yesterday.
Mr Pakkhathorn said an easing of restrictions would be considered by the committee when there was sufficient evidence that the virus was not spreading.
He also called on anyone who had been at risk of infection to take a Covid-19 test, saying the public should not be worried by the recent rise in cases.
“People shouldn’t be worried about the number of infections as long as we can contain the spread,” he said.
“That means we know how many patients there are and they will receive proper medical care.”
Meanwhile, the Chon Buri police chief has been transferred to an inactive post in Bangkok after it was reported that a person infected with Covid-19 had visited an illegal gambling den in the province.
The order transferring Pol Maj Gen Prakarn Prachong to the operations centre of the Royal Thai Police Office was signed by national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, effective from Wednesday.
In a separate order signed by the police chief, Pol Maj Gen Thiti Saengsawang, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, was made acting Chon Buri police chief.
Pol Maj Gen Prakarn’s transfer was prompted by reports the Chon Buri public health office had issued a notice for people who had been at two gambling dens to carefully monitor their health, after a person who was infected with Covid-19 said he had frequented both venues.
One venue was reportedly near a bus terminal in Rayong’s Muang district and the other in North Pattaya.
Pol Gen Wissanu Prasarttong-Osoth, inspector-general at the Royal Thai Police Office, led an investigation. His report confirmed the existence of both gambling dens and recommended disciplinary action against the officers involved.
Pol Gen Suwat then transferred the Rayong police chief on Monday.
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