Over 80 percent of Thais expected to engage in social distancing

About 70 percent of Thais understand and are engaging in the "social distancing" campaign, which is a major strategy to curb the transmission of COVID-19, the latest survey conducted by Thailand’s Department of Mental Health showed.
Over 80 percent of Thais expected to engage in social distancing ảnh 1Security forces in Thailand stay at a checkpoint (Photo:  Pattaya Mail)
Bangkok (VNA) – About 70 percent ofThais understand and are engaging in the "social distancing" campaign,which is a major strategy to curb the transmission of COVID-19, the latestsurvey conducted by Thailand’s Department of Mental Health showed.

The department conducted the survey lastweek among 26,000 respondents. The study's goal was to find out the appropriatemeasures needed to push the campaign to exceed the 80 percent milestone.

Local media quoted Kiattiphoom Vongrachit, Director-Generalof the department, as saying that the 80 percent benchmark is based on aresearch in Australia, which found that is the threshold when COVID-19transmission potentially stops.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Healthestimated that if social distancing compliance exceeds 80 percent, the numberof COVID-19 cases will reach 7,745 by April 15.

The cases will however climb to 17,635 bythat date if social distancing compliance is only 50 percent. With no socialdistancing, the number of cases will skyrocket to 150,000 in two weeks, hesaid.

Kiattiphoom highlighted that socialdistancing is a very powerful tool to fight against COVID-19 and this weaponneeds the engagement of all Thais.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha willchair a special cabinet meeting on April 3 to discuss additional stimulusmeasures to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. The newpackages will be implemented from May to July.

On April 2, Thailand recorded 104 new casesand three deaths, bringing the total to 1,875 and 15 casualties./.
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