Working on the assumption that all travelers coming to Thailand are infected with COVID-19, health officials today explained how they will be prevented from spawning a new wave of infection.
As flights resumed today for 11 types of travelers, COVID-19 task force spokesman Taweesilp Wisanuyothin said nearly all would need to enter two weeks of quarantine at their own expense, with some exceptions.
Among those are people transporting needed goods, who will be subject to immediate return upon making delivery. Those with special arrangements, such as guests of the government and short-term business travelers from approved areas, will be assigned minders to closely observe them when they leave their state-approved accommodations.
Foreign diplomats will be allowed to quarantine at home, while students from abroad may stay at campus-provided facilities. Medical tourists will be quarantined at hospitals. The rest; which includes flight crews, expats and their families; must stay at approved private quarantine facilities. Thais returning from abroad may opt for government facilities or private sites.
In May, a number of hotels reopened as commercial quarantine facilities managed by hospital staff.
It has been 37 days with no report of local transmission. The today’s announcement of two Thai travelers back from Kuwait with COVID-19 brought the total cases to 3,173 since the outbreak began in January. The official death toll has stood at 58 since June 2.
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