Bangkok moves to cancel state-organised New Year countdowns, fearing Omicron
Bangkok Governor Pol General Asawin Kwanmuang has ordered agencies to cancel state festival events including the New Year countdown at city square.
Deputy governor Kriengyot Sudlapa said Asawin made the decision according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration guidelines for New Year events slated on December 31 and January 1 after the World Health Organisation called on countries to cancel some holiday plans for the safety of their citizens as the Omicron variant was spreading significantly faster than Delta.
As of December 22, Thailand had more than 100 suspected Omicron cases, with 27 having already been confirmed.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has sought cooperation from the private sector wishing to organise New Year countdowns by asking it to strictly abide by safety measures, including having a Covid-Free Setting, screening and cleaning of premises, implementing social distancing and providing a quarantine facility for infected people, etc.
Participants must be vaccinated or produce a negative ATK test result taken not more than 72 hours before events.
New Year countdown organisers are also being asked to reduce the number of attendees.
More information can be got at the Department of Health or district offices.
“I ask Bangkokians for your cooperation to refrain from entering risky or crowded areas to control and prevent the risk of infection according to government policies,” Kriengyot added.