Thailand is to formally declare COVID-19 as a dangerous infectious disease because there are signs that the situation may get worse in the next two months.

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, director of the Infectious Disease Division of the Disease Control Department, said today that the spread of COVID-19 in several countries has prompted Thailand to get ready to declare an infectious disease emergency at a meeting of the Infectious Disease Committee scheduled for Monday, during which COVID-19 is expected to be designated Thailand’s 13th dangerous infectious disease, as proposed by the Ministry of Public Health.

The declaration means that members of the public will be legally required to follow the recommendations of health officials strictly, to limit the spread of coronavirus. This includes 14-day mandatory home confinement for any individual who has returns from countries listed as being at high-risk for infection by the disease.

Currently, Thailand is at Stage Two of coronavirus infection, but Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has recommended that preparations should be made now to prepare Thailand, should the situation develop to Stage 3, meaning the virus is spreading widely.

So far, there have been 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Thailand. 17 of those patients have already returned home, while the rest are in hospitals under treatment, including two at Bamrasnaradura Institute of Infectious Diseases who are under close observation.