BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) – The one-month extension of
emergency decree is needed to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections; not
to “block anyone” politically, says
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Prime Minister’s comment came after the Centre for
Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Cabinet decided to extend the
emergency decree for another month until the end of July as recommended by the
security agencies.
Gen Prayut reiterated that the decision on decree extension
was made from public health standpoint to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19
pandemic.
The decree gave the authorities powers and tools to
effectively curb coronavirus infections as Thailand moved to a phase 5 of
re-opening, the Prime Minister said.
Without the decree, existing laws and disease control
regulations alone would not allow the government to response in time to any
reemergence of infection, he added.
The emergency decree which was imposed in late March was due
to expire on Wednesday. (TNA)
