THAI steps up screening for flights from Cambodia

February 19, 2020

Abstract : President of Thai Airways International revealed that the Westerdam cruise ship reported confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection, and Thai authority has decided to ban foreign passengers on the ship from entering Thailand until the end of a 14-day observation period starting from February 14, 2020.

InfoQuest (February 18, 2020) -- Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, president of Thai Airways International (THAI), revealed that the Westerdam cruise ship reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health has decided to ban foreign passengers on the ship from entering Thailand until the end of a 14-day observation period starting from February 14, 2020. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has ordered the air transport department to prepare for the return of Thai passengers from this cruise ship.

THAI has developed stringent COVID-19 virus prevention and control measures that are in conformity with international standards, according to regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Thai Ministry of Public Health and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). For passengers from the Westerdam cruise ship, THAI will upgrade its screening measures for Phnom Penh-Bangkok flights from February 18 to February 29, 2020.

Specifically, a task force will be set up on planes to observe, assess symptoms and screen passengers. Take-off will be rejected if any passengers are found to be at risk of carrying the virus. And separate areas on the plane will be designated for Thai passengers (if any) from Westerdam cruise ships to separate them from other passengers. After the plane returns to the destination, disinfectant will be sprayed in the cabin and cockpit of the plane, and deep cleaning will be conducted in 36 areas where passengers frequently touch.

THAI calls on passengers to have confidence in its COVID-19 virus prevention and control measures. It will continue to monitor the situation and would like to thank the Ministry of Public Health, the CAAT, the AOT and the Immigration Bureau for closely communicating information with it to jointly prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Source: InfoQuest, by Saowalak Ouypron / Kasamarporn / Sasithorn, translated by Xinhua Silk Road

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