Thailand is extending its state of emergency until the end of August, maintaining the security measure put in place to contain its coronavirus outbreak.

Lockdown measures were supposed to ease in July to allow officials to use the month to prepare measures for the country's reopening.

This change in course was announced by a senior official on Wednesday, July 22, citing health authorities' advice.

The announcement comes despite nearly two months without local transmission.

Currently, many people in Thailand are questioning the need for an emergency decree.

"It is still necessary to have the decree because we are opening up the country for more business meetings and tourism to stimulate the economy," said Somsak Roongsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council, adding that doctors had requested it be maintained.

The extension comes after political protests took place against the government over the weekend, in defiance of a ban on gatherings.

Somsak, however, said the emergency decree would be used only to contain virus outbreaks and not rallies.