InfoQuest (February 20, 2020) -- Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired a meeting of the National Committee for the Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases. After the meeting, he revealed at the meeting overall prevention and control of the Covid-19 virus over the past period of time was briefed. All parties agreed that the current efforts to contain the virus spread in Thailand were satisfactory, but he was concerned about whether there was a plan in place to timely respond to the Stage 3 spread of Covid-19, that is, the situation when the virus spreads to the whole country.
The prime minister told the public not to be panic about the Level-3 response, and stressed that these are just precautionary plans. Most appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with relevant standards and regulations, so the public shall not churn out distorted news, as it will have an impact on the overall work. He also emphasized that relevant government personnel will stick to their posts until the situation returns to normal.
"I hope people don't panic. The three measures the government developed are just precautionary plans. If such situation didn't occur, they wouldn't be put in place, as everything has a clear implementation criterion to follow. We have to do the right thing to solve the problem, and we can't do one thing right and the other thing wrong or gain one by losing two. That's not how this administration is going to do it. I have only one request-Don't panic, don't make fake news, and don't make hate speech, because it may hold up the work," the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, reports about the work to ensure the production and sale of surgical masks to meet the public demand were made, and the support relief scheme for affected enterprises was also reviewed, especially for enterprises in the tourism and industrial sectors. The government will take care of all the sectors hit by the outbreak, and the plan will be submitted to the cabinet next week, Mr. Prayut continued.
The prime minister reiterated that the current problems will inevitably produce a chain reaction, so the comprehensive and integrated measures must be taken. He also expressed his thanks to all the departments and personnel, especially to those retired health workers who give up their time to return to work, thus making the current outbreak response generally satisfactory.
Dr. Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said at present, the spread of Covid-19 in Thailand is still in the second stage, and the infection rate still stands at a low level, which indicates that the current prevention and control mechanism has achieved effective results. Relevant situation will be closely monitored, and inbound passengers will be strictly examined through the use of thermal scanning equipment. Currently, the Thai medical team is praised for being able to use existing technology and drugs to cure patients infected with Covid-19. If the outbreak gets worse, Thailand is still well-prepared in terms of hospitals, drugs, equipment and surgical masks.
Mr. Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, mentioned that surgical masks are listed as controlled commodities, and manufacturers and importers are now required to report costs, production, selling prices and stock on the 10th of each month. More than 500 surgical masks for export shall be declared from February 5, 2020. So far, 32 million masks have been exported, compared with 71 million in 2018. The Ministry of Commerce is trying to keep exports of surgical masks within a reasonable range.
Mr. Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport, said regarding the updated Covid-19 virus screening measures, monitoring sites have been set up at six international and regional airports, and bus stations, train stations and docks across the country, and increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting planes, trains, light rails, buses and docks.
As for air transport, the airport has installed thermal scanners at the entry and exit channels for international flights. The Ministry of Transport will fully support the work of the Ministry of Public Health.
Speaking of measures to help passengers on the affected routes, Mr. Chaiwat said that Thai Airways International (THAI) and Thai Smile Airways will waive the change fee on flights to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China) and Singapore.
Source: InfoQuest, by Tanit Tongnok/ Rachada / Sasithorn, translated by Xinhua Silk Road.
Notice: No person, organization and/or company shall disseminate or broadcast the above article on Xinhua Silk Road website without prior permission by Xinhua Silk Road.
A single purchase
