Emergency decree helps ‘keep our guard up,’ task force says. 3 new cases today.

Three Thais back from Russian and Kuwait become the latest COVID-19 cases today as health officials prepare for a third phase of eased restrictions.

Though reports of local coronavirus transmission have remained low and no new deaths were reported today, COVID task force spokesman Taweeslip Wisanuyothin said the public should expect the emergency decree to remain in place.

“All the positive reports are possible because we always keep our guard up,” he said. “Giving government officials control through the emergency decree has contributed to improved reports on infections, a lot.”

Taweesilp did not go into detail on activities that could be allowed to resume or address speculation that they might include boxing stadiums and allowing bars to sell alcohol again, but only for takeaway.

Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency in March that granted sweeping powers to local authorities to impose any restrictions deemed necessary to contain the outbreak. That led to businesses being shuttered, alcohol sales being banned, an an overnight curfew imposed that remains in place.

Rights activists accuse the government, whose legitimacy was being challenged by rising protests prior to the pandemic, of trying to keep the populace under control. The measures were cited in breaking up small anti-government rallies staged Friday on the anniversary of the 2014 coup which Prayuth led.

Today’s update brought the kingdom to a total of 3,045 known infections since the outbreak began in January. The official death toll stood at 57.

All three new cases were contracted overseas, Taweesilp said. A 51-year-old woman without symptoms placed in quarantine upon her return from Russia tested positive at a government facility in Chonburi. The other two cases announced today involved two men, both 45, back from Kuwait and isolated at a facility in the southeast metro province of Samut Prakan.

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