The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Monday) to decide whether the main New Year countdown event will be allowed and whether southern overland border access should be reopened, Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said today (Sunday).

He added that the CCSA will also discuss whether the existing measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic should be adjusted to suit the current circumstances.

The COVID-19 situation in Thailand is showing signs of improvement, with fewer new infections and fatalities, while only three confirmed Omicron variant cases plus one potential case have been reported to date.

The COVID-19 Information Centre has reported 3,787 new infections in the past 24 hours, including 5 cases among prisoners. The death toll today is 20. Cumulative infections, since April 1^st this year, are 2,139,783 and total fatalities are 21,057. 51,616 people are still being treated in hospitals.

Thanakorn said that southern overland border crossings with Malaysia were originally scheduled to reopen on December 16^th but, due to the detection of Omicron cases in Malaysia, the CCSA needs to reassess the situation and decide whether the timing of the reopening should be adjusted.

He said the prime minister has reminded operators of tourism businesses, malls, stores, eateries and members of the public to comply with basic safety measures strictly, so everyone can celebrate the New Year festival in happiness and safety.