The National Communicable Disease Committee (NCDC) has decided to downgrade Covid-19 from a “dangerous communicable disease” to a “communicable disease under surveillance” from October as part of the country’s plan to enter a normal endemic period.
The resolution has been announced yesterday by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also chaired the NCDC meeting.
Covid-19 was announced a dangerous communicable condition in late Feb 2020 by the NCDC which allowed health government bodies to respond more quickly in trying to contain outbreaks.
Mister Anutin said health authorities have now been able to bring Covid-19 in check despite it nevertheless spreading, adding the fact that disease’s severity is mitigated.
“This is why the NCDC has chose to downgrade the Covid-19 disease to a reduced level of concern from the dangerous communicable illness to a communicable condition under surveillance which will come into effect on April 1, ” Mr Anutin said.
“We have never faced a shortage of drugs, even though many more people have learnt how to better realize how to live with the disease, ” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department associated with Disease Control, stated by designating Covid-19 as a communicable condition under surveillance, health authorities will no longer possess the power to force sufferers or suspected patients to isolate on their own for 14 days.
Dr Opas still urged the general public to comply with common health measures, like being fully vaccinated, to help prevent the distribute of Covid-19.