Free ATKs tipped to end

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) may stop distributing free antigen test kits (ATKs) for Covid-19 after the Ministry of Public Health declares Thailand to be in the post-pandemic period tomorrow.

ATKs are currently handed out free of charge at chemists.

The expected announcement will mark the resumption of normal healthcare services after more than two years of grappling with a public health crisis caused by the pandemic, Attaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, said yesterday.

This means people will begin receiving services under their health insurance schemes and Covid-19 will be treated like any other endemic disease, he said.

City Hall, meanwhile, decided yesterday to convert its Covid-19 situation administration centre into a centre for administrating and monitoring health emergencies, said deputy city governor Tavida Kamolvej.