A poll, conducted by Thailand’s Health Department, has revealed that many parents remain very concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, ahead of the scheduled school reopening on June 14^th.

A whopping 95.6% of respondents are concerned about the pandemic in general. 41.3% of them are concerned that their children might contract the disease from their classmates, teachers, or other school staff, according to Health Department Director-General Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai.

Parents also said that schools must ensure the health of students and teachers, adjust the environment in the school grounds appropriately, to prevent the spread of the virus, and that the school meets public health standards.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced that schools can reopen on June 14th. However, schools in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani will remain closed to physical classes and are asked to integrate the “On-Air, On-Demand, Online and On-hand” approach when they resume classes instead.

Dr. Suwanchai further explained that schools which need to reopen before the July 14^th must follow the guidelines set by the CCSA by completing the “Thai Stop COVID Plus” evaluation. After that, they must ask the provincial communicable disease committee for approval to resume on-site classes and strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Public Health Ministry.

The Director-General of the Health Department also reminded students and teachers to comply strictly with hygienic measures, including wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing, refraining from travelling to high-risk areas and frequently disinfecting door-knobs, railings and other frequently touched locations.