The government has stepped up measures to contain Covid-19 if the country reaches Stage 3, a full-blown pandemic, with a newly-built hospital to treat only Covid-19 patients, as the number of infections jumped to 114 yesterday.
The government will "spend all the resources we need" in the fight against Covid-19, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.
In case Thailand enters Stage 3, in which people including those with no previous trips to virus-hit countries catch the disease, a dedicated hospital is needed, Gen Prayut said, referring to a new 100-bed hospital which has yet to officially open.
On March 12, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said the government will use Bang Khunthian Hospital in the seaside district of Bang Khunthian to treat Covid-19 patients.
Authorities are also preparing other hospitals across Bangkok for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms.
Pub and entertainment venues may need to be temporarily closed after recent cluster infections involving people drinking together in a pub, Prayut said.
Officials will first seek cooperation from pub owners, but "all must be closed if necessary," Prayut said, adding the action will be based on advice of medical experts.
The prime minister on Sunday also tried to relieve public concerns over a severe shortage of face masks and the cost of disease treatments.
The government is checking the total amount of face masks, both domestically produced and imported, to make sure everyone can get access to them, he said, adding officials are also developing "alternative masks" or washable cloth masks, for people who are less exposed to the disease.
At present, people who suspect they may contract the virus are subject to medical bills ranging between 6,000 and 7,500 baht.
Former Bangkok MP and Kla Party co-founder Atavit Suwannapakdee suggested the government spend part of the 96-billion-baht central budget, set for emergency cases, to help people.
The number of patients in Thailand has remained relatively low, compared with those in other countries, until the numbers sharply spiked late last week. The country's two-month "rehearsal" to contain the virus spreading has just ended, a Chulalongkorn University chief said.
