A panel of health experts said they agree in principle with the proposal to reduce the mandatory quarantine period for returnees from 14 to 10 days.

Speaking after the national communicable disease committee's meeting on Thursday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the proposal is intended to help efforts to reopen the country to tourists and revive the economy.


The public health minister said the committee's panel of specialists have agreed in principle with the proposal to cut the current 14-day quarantine period for returnees to 10 days.

In place of the 14-day quarantine, the Department of Disease Control will monitor returnees for another four days once they complete a 10-day quarantine, the proposal said.

Movement tracing will be carried out and returnees must adhere to social distancing rules, avoid crowded places and wear a face mask in public places.

The proposal will be presented to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration for consideration, Mr Anutin said.

He said the Covid-19 situation in Thailand is under control, as most of the new infections are returnees.

''The priority now is to strike a balance between people's health and the economy. We have to work together to help revive the economy," Mr Anutin said.