Though no new cases today, COVID task force supports ongoing State of Emergency

Buddhist monks sprinkle holy water at a police station. Photo: Police TV / Facebook
Buddhist monks sprinkle holy water at a police station. Photo: Police TV / Facebook

Thailand’s COVID-19 task force on Friday morning agreed to extend the state of emergency until the end of June.

Proposed yesterday by the National Security Council, the Emergency Decree, which underpins ongoing curfews and other restrictions on travel and commerce, will now remain in force until at least July, the COVID-19 task force announced this morning. 

The spokesperson Taweesilp Wissanuyothin said it was necessary to suppress the ongoing coronavirus outbreak through necessary measures to prevent more infections.

The final word, however, will come Tuesday from the cabinet.

This Sunday will mark two months since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha enacted the Emergency Decree, which handed absolute power to local authorities to enact curfews, limit travel, shutter businesses and censor the media as deemed necessary. It was later extended until May 31. 

The extension has been blasted by critics as a bid to control the public rather than protect its health.

The Disease Control Department today also reported no additional known infections and no new deaths. The total infected since January remains at 3,037, with 56 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

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Emergency decree may be extended despite waning crisis



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