Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand's Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on September 28 said it has decided toextend a grace period for visa renewals for foreigners stranded in Thailanduntil October 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin, the decision came as manyflights are not available, and foreigners stranded in Thailand expressedconcerns of the rising number of infections back in their home countries.
In July, the Thai authorities granted automatic visa extensions from late Marchto Sept. 26 to all foreigners.
After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for60-day extensions to remain in Thailand, but only if they are unable to leavedue to limited flights or other urgent issues.
Thailand's total COVID-19 infections as of September 28 stood at 3,545 with 59fatalities.
The same day, Malaysia said it will impose strict movement restrictions in fourdistricts in Sabah after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections there inSeptember.
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that as part of efforts to containthe outbreak, non-essential businesses in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Sempornadistricts will be required to shut down from September 29 for 14 days.
The partial lockdown comes amid a recent surge of COVID-19 infections inMalaysia.
As of September 27, Malaysia's tally of infections reached 10,919,including 9,835 recovered cases and 134 deaths./.
According to CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin, the decision came as manyflights are not available, and foreigners stranded in Thailand expressedconcerns of the rising number of infections back in their home countries.
In July, the Thai authorities granted automatic visa extensions from late Marchto Sept. 26 to all foreigners.
After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for60-day extensions to remain in Thailand, but only if they are unable to leavedue to limited flights or other urgent issues.
Thailand's total COVID-19 infections as of September 28 stood at 3,545 with 59fatalities.
The same day, Malaysia said it will impose strict movement restrictions in fourdistricts in Sabah after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections there inSeptember.
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that as part of efforts to containthe outbreak, non-essential businesses in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Sempornadistricts will be required to shut down from September 29 for 14 days.
The partial lockdown comes amid a recent surge of COVID-19 infections inMalaysia.
As of September 27, Malaysia's tally of infections reached 10,919,including 9,835 recovered cases and 134 deaths./.
VNA
