Covid-19 controls ramped up at Thailand’s wet markets amid rise in infections

Thailand’s Health Department is ramping up screening measures and Covid-19 controls at wet markets across the country amid a rise in infections linked to the venues. Thai PBS World reports that 14,678 infections have been detected at 132 markets across 23 provinces between April 1 and August 10 this year.

As a result, officials are using antigen test kits to conduct mass testing of traders and workers on a weekly basis. The number of entrances and exits at each market has also been reduced, while additional measures include daily disinfection, improvements in ventilation, and disinfecting shared contact points at markets.

According to the Thai PBS World report, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai from the Health Department has outlined the new rules that apply in the event of Covid-19 infection being detected.

If a seller or worker at a particular stall or vending space tests positive, the stall will be shut down for 14 days. If 2 people are found to be infected, it will be closed for 14 days and disinfected, while infected patients and those who’ve had close contact with them will be isolated and not allowed to enter the market. If infection is detected in more than 10% of vendors or market workers, the entire market will be shut down immediately.

According to Suwanchai, each market should create a community quarantine facility if space allows for it. He adds that workers who test negative, as well as those in the surrounding areas, must be vaccinated in the interim.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World