Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Authorities say “no quarantine” for tourists returning from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai

Published

6 months ago

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Despite a recent spike in Covid-19 local infections in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, authorities are axing the requirement for a 14 day quarantine for tourists who have returned from those areas back to other parts of Thailand. Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, scotched the rumours of some businesses claiming that such tourists would have to undergo self-isolation when returning from those areas.

“These companies made announcements in response to the discovery of new coronavirus cases, but we have not concluded on whether tourists must undergo 14 days quarantine or not.”

“However, people who are travelling in these provinces must take care of themselves, such as by wearing a face mask and washing hands regularly.”

The spike in local infections, came about after several Thai woman returned from Myanmar undetected, and skipped any sort of quarantine. 38 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, placing others around them at risk. They had all returned from the now notorious Myanmar 1G1-7 Hotel, in Tachileik, a border town. The establishment is known for employing sex workers, and recently becoming the centre of a Covid outbreak that has seen 38 local cases of Covid after such Thais have returned from the town, skirting quarantine requirements.

Dr Prasit Watanapa from the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital says the coronavirus currently circulating in Myanmar is a different strain and is being transmitted 20% faster than the one detected in Wuhan at the start of the pandemic.

As of yesterday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 4,192, with 217 being hospitalised, 3,915 being listed as recovered and discharged, while 60 have succumbed to the deadly virus.

SOURCE: The Nation

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5 Comments

Issan John

Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 1:24 pm

How can they be “axing the requirement for a 14 day quarantine for tourists” when there’s been no such “requirement” for anyone crossing provincial borders for months?

While some were probably getting over-confident and complacent, others, including some reporters, are evidently over-exercising their imagination.

Reply
Toby Andrews

Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Yes there a many people in Thailand who over exercise their imagination.

Reply
Ian

Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 6:46 pm

Still only 60 dead amazing, thais must have some sort of immune system the rest of the world hasn’t I agree Toby some I would say certified people in Thailand they can even put words together but not always in the right order as Eric Morecambe would say lol you have to be English and know who Morecambe and wise are to understand a great scetch maybe issan john takes his grounding from it

Reply
ceispy

Monday, December 14, 2020 at 1:07 am

There is no such requirement, there never was any such requirement and there never will be any such requirement.

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Monday, December 14, 2020 at 8:25 am
  
  Actually there was, and it was widely applied back in April and still could be if necessary at provincial governors’ discretion.
  
  Reply