Thailand's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on 28 September said it has decided to extend a grace period for visa renewals for foreigners stranded in Thailand until 31 October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin, the decision came as many flights are not available, and foreigners stranded in Thailand expressed concerns of the rising number of infections back in their home countries.

In July, the Thai authorities granted automatic visa extensions from late March to Sept. 26 to all foreigners.

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in Thailand, but only if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other urgent issues.

Thailand's total COVID-19 infections as of 28 September stood at 3,545 with 59 fatalities.

The same day, Malaysia said it will impose strict movement restrictions in four districts in Sabah after reporting more than 1,000 COVID-19 infections there in September.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that as part of efforts to contain the outbreak, non-essential businesses in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna districts will be required to shut down from September 29 for 14 days.

The partial lockdown comes amid a recent surge of COVID-19 infections in Malaysia.

As of 27 September, Malaysia's tally of infections reached 10,919, including 9,835 recovered cases and 134 deaths.

Source: VNA