BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) — Thai authorities do not conceal the number of its novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases while trying to block the illegal immigration of patients from other countries, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.
Gen Prayut denied the speculation that his government decided to declare COVID-19 a new dangerous communicable disease because the actual number of patients was growing out of control.
“I insist that we never conceal the number of local cases. Please do not panic because that would have many impacts including those on tourism. The government is concerned about public health. When it is necessary, it must implement measures to control the epidemic,” he said.
The declaration of COVID-19 as a new dangerous communicable disease was aimed at facilitating authorities’ proactive work to control the disease and it did not mean that local cases were growing without being announced, Gen Prayut said.
He also said that authorities were seriously checking border areas to prevent foreign COVID-19 patients from illegally sneaking into the country to seek treatment. (TNA)
