Thailand travel ban
Image adapted from: @RonallChersan
As it’s believed returnees and visitors coming into Thailand are big reasons for the high amount of case surges in the country, the government has declared a travel ban, blocking all incoming travels into the country in preparation for a state quarantine.
On 2nd April 2020, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha mentioned that this will be implemented until 15th April 2020 in order to prepare state quarantine facilities.
This preventive measure has been immediately activated as more Thai patients have been found to be linked to imported cases; infected patients that have returned from foreign countries.
This policy applies to both Thais and foreigners who plan on entering the country. PM Prayut also added that in the meantime, Thai embassies and related agencies will ensure all Thais returning from foreign countries can get medical checks and be quarantined properly.
However, this preventive measure is not applied to people who are already permitted to travel to Thailand.
Imported cases major cause of clusters
Spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin reported that “if the number of arrivals does not drop, [more] people in our country will be infected.”
Image credit: Nation Thailand
Dr Taweesin also mentioned that a major source of infections in Thailand have been returnees from other countries, or visitors. A Thai man who recently visited Pakistan was found dead on a train in Prachuab Khiri Khan, and tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously.
He also added other imported cases such as 4 people returning to Thailand from meetings in Italy, 19 people returning from Cambodia, and other cases who had joined religious activities in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It is not confirmed if the ban will be lifted after 15th April 2020, so stay tuned for updates.
Read more:
- Thailand To Officially Implement Nationwide Curfew From 3 April Onwards
- Stranded Tourists In Thailand Will Get Automatic Visa Extensions Due To COVID-19
- Thailand Might Shut Down All Public Transport Services If COVID-19 Situation Worsens
- Bangkok Airways Suspends All Flights, International Routes Cancelled Indefinitely
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