InfoQuest (March 11, 2020) - According to Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, minister of Transport of Thailand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has dictated to Thai airlines offering services to China (including Hong Kong and Macau), South Korea, Italy and Iran to require passengers to board with Covid-19-free medical health certificate. So far, the four countries are highly exposed to Covid-19 outbreak.
After arriving in Thailand, passengers must present medical health certificate before entering airport, then fill in health information form of name, address and phone number, and then pass the thermal scanner. In total, three thermal scanners are set up respectively at disembarkation, immigration checking point and customs office to confirm whether passengers have fever symptoms. For those with fever symptoms, persons in charge from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) will send them to hospital for treatment.
For those confirmed without fever symptoms, special vehicles will be arranged to transport them to their dwellings. Before going back home, passengers have to get off at specially set parking places and sign in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Interior, and return home for a 14-day isolation. Mr. Saksayam Chidchob believes that these measures under implementation is very helpful for epidemic control.
Mr. Chatri Archjananun, head of the Department of Consular Affairs, revealed that current screening measure starts from place of departure and can be divided into three steps. Screening by embassies is the first step. Passengers entering Thailand must provide medical health certificate (certifying that they have no fever symptoms within 14 days before departure and they can get medical health certificate within 3 days before departure), insurance documents and proof of no infection for 14 consecutive days as reference documents for entry applications.
Screening by airlines is the second step. Passengers must provide medical health certificate proving that they are Covid-19 virus free before boarding. Screening by domestic authorities is the the third step. Passengers must have a 14-day isolation after entering Thailand as required by MOPH.
Stressing that Thailand is responding in strict accordance with the regulations of WHO, Mr. Saksayam Chidchob reiterated that Thailand is not to ban foreign visitors and cut off itself from the outside world, but visitors need to meet some conditions for entering Thailand in this special period.
For example, visitors from countries enjoying Thailand's VoA policy previously now must go to embassies or consulates to apply for visa; Visa Free policy for some countries or regions will also be suspended temporarily until things get better.
Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, permanent secretary of MOPH, confirmed that persons in charge would offer advice for families during isolation at home, including wearing masks, eating hot food, using public spoons, and washing hands. For those on a 14-day isolation, in addition to relatives who take care of them, designated health volunteers and medical staff from town hospitals will make house health checks. Moreover, MOPH will cooperate with local military district management agencies and encourage people to download relevant App to monitor and track their situation.
"Our goal is to ensure the health of our people. If we don't go to such length, family members will be affected. During isolation, special staff will impart professional knowledge to and take care of people isolated. Whoever violating isolation regulations shall be put on file according to law," said the permanent secretary.
He also stressed that all designated health volunteers responsible for taking care of people isolated have been well trained. In addition to hospitals, the Thai government has also distributed equipment, medical masks and gloves to other local organizations.
Source: InfoQuest, by Tanit Tongnok / Kasamarporn / Sasithorn, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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