chinese deadly coronavirus

[Dodger]

Thailand announces a 14 day self quarantine for those returning from or visiting from certain designated countries

Let me make sure I have this straight: They're saying that someone who visited China and returns to Thailand will be placed on home quarantine for 14 days, but Chinese tourists are still allowed to enter Thailand for holiday with no quarantine whatsoever. Have I got this right?

[Jun]

I would think a tourist is a visitor, therefore covered by the quarantine "rule".

Presumably the list of countries is generated by some moron throwing darts at a list, since Taiwan with 12 active cases is on the list, whilst (for example), Switzerland with 57 and Kuwait with 56 are not.

Also, this gem:

"For those who cannot produce evidence of a formal lodging, such as a hotel or hostel, during their visit in Thailand, immigration officials are authorized to send them back home or to allow them entry subject to 14-days of self-quarantine."

How the hell is anyone supposed to isolate in a hotel ? They need to leave the hotel room to eat. Do they have controls in place to only allow in people with an en-suite bathroom booked ?

If they were enforcing the rules, of course it kills tourism.

Is the whole story fake ? It's not exactly a news outlet I'm familiar with.

[Gaybutton]

Is the whole story fake ? It's not exactly a news outlet I'm familiar with.

I believe the story is genuine. Thai PBS is a legitimate news outlet.

I too was wondering just how this 14-day quarantine would work, let alone be enforced. I would assume travelers would be given a choice to either comply with this quarantine, however it would be imposed, or take the next plane back to where they came from. What kind of fool would pay for a holiday in Thailand only to end up quarantined in a hotel room for 2 weeks? I certainly wouldn't opt for that unless there was some sort of compelling reason for me to stay in Thailand.

Sending a person showing signs of illness back home, may I ask how? Would the airlines allow a person showing signs of being potentially ill with the virus to fly? If yes, would they tell the other passengers? If other passengers would not want to fly with a such a person onboard, how would the airlines handle that?

As for food, I would think if a person is confined to his room, the hotel would assist him ordering out.

This whole thing needs to be clarified. At first I thought Werner was making a mistake by postponing his trip to Thailand, but with things so confusing and convoluted, along with so many unanswered questions and new questions popping up all the time, maybe postponing his trip really was the smart choice.

[Dodger]

How the hell is anyone supposed to isolate in a hotel ? They need to leave the hotel room to eat.

Maybe that's why all those Grab food delivery boys are wearing face masks these days. I've seen a few that I'd like to Grab.

[2lz2p]

Thailand announces a 14 day self quarantine for those returning from or visiting from certain designated countries

Let me make sure I have this straight: They're saying that someone who visited China and returns to Thailand will be placed on home quarantine for 14 days, but Chinese tourists are still allowed to enter Thailand for holiday with no quarantine whatsoever. Have I got this right?

I just saw something on Thaivisa that indicates it may be another "goof" by the Thai Public Health Minister -- the guy that reportedly said foreigners should be kicked out of Thailand if they didn't wear a face mask and then later said wearing a mask was not really necessary for anyone. Apparently, the source of that "official announcement" on self quarantine from those countries was actually a posting on his Facebook page - which according to Thaivisa is now "not available". So, it may not in fact NOT be an official policy, but rather wishful thinking on the Minister's part.

Stay tuned . . . .

[Gaybutton]

I just saw something on Thaivisa that indicates it may be another "goof" by the Thai Public Health Minister -- the guy that reportedly said foreigners should be kicked out of Thailand if they didn't wear a face mask and then later said wearing a mask was not really necessary for anyone.

More than just a "goof". I like what he said in the second story on this post: "When asked why the Facebook account was closed, Mr Anutin said 'My son wanted me to have a break'" Mr. Anutin, if you're going to come up with some nonsense explanation, can't you do it without insulting our intelligence?

This story is now being reported on the Bangkok Post:
_____________________________________________

Thai quarantine flip-flop throws holidays into doubt

March 4, 2020

Thailand threw possibly tens of thousands of holiday plans into confusion after Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered any new arrivals from nine countries and two territories to undergo quarantine for the coronavirus, before swiftly reversing the decision.

Mr Anutin posted an announcement Tuesday saying travellers from affected countries would be subjected to a 14-day quarantine "without exceptions".

The countries were China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Singapore, Italy, Iran and Taiwan. Hong Kong and Macau were also included on the list.

The post was removed hours later, and his official Facebook page was taken down.

Mr Anutin is no stranger to gaffes.

Last month he lashed out at "Western" tourists for not wearing face masks, suggesting they should be expelled for putting others at risk. He later apologised on his Facebook page.

Tourism is a lynchpin of Thailand's economy, but the government has struggled to balance health concerns and virus control with salvaging flagging growth as Chinese visitors have evaporated.

The beginning of 2020 was supposed to bring 7 million tourists to Thailand, but numbers have tumbled in the wake of the epidemic.

Mr Anutin's apparent moment of indecision — which fanned waves of concern on Twitter among Thais and foreign travellers — was played down Wednesday by Public Health Ministry spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.

"We have to wait which country would be designated as a risk country," said the spokesman during a daily press briefing, explaining that Mr Anutin needed the list to be "reviewed".

Similar uncertainty pervades the government's handling of the return of some 5,000 undocumented Thai labourers — nicknamed "little ghosts" — working in South Korea.

Premier Prayut Chan-o-Cha said Wednesday the workers who came from South Korea's two hardest-hit areas — Daegu and neighbouring North Gyeongsang province — would be subjected to quarantine.

"This will make people feel more at ease," he said.

The others will return to their hometown where provincial health officers will monitor them daily, said an official from the Department of Disease Control.

South Korea has reported than 5,300 cases and 28 fatalities.

The government's lack of monitoring of the returnees has spurred growing public anger after various accounts showed haphazard screening at Bangkok's airports.

Thailand has reported 43 confirmed infections and and one fatality linked to the virus.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... into-doubt
________________________________________________________________

Anutin closes Facebook account after quarantine post

March 4, 2020

Public Health Minister Auntin Charnvirakul has closed a Facebook account one day after he posted -- and then deleted -- a message that said all visitors from Thailand's largest sources of foreign tourism would face mandatory self-quarantine for two weeks.

"Sorry, this content isn't available right now," reads the message on his social media page, www.facebook.com/AnutinC.

The Bhumjaithai Party leader has at least one other Facebook account, but used this one regularly to air his positions on current affairs.

On Tuesday, Mr Anutin scooped other news sources by posting the Public Health Ministry announcement declaring nine countries and two territories high-risk areas for the coronavirus. The countries listed in his announcement were Japan, Germany, South Korea, China, Taiwan, France, Singapore, Italy and Iran. Hong Kong and Macau were the territories.

But it was what he wrote next that set alarm bells ringing: that all visitors from these countries would be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days with no exceptions.

Minutes later, the post was deleted.

Mr Anutin said on Wednesday he was unclear why the announcement was posted because the number of the countries and territories needed revision, according to Manager Online. There might have some mistakes, he said.

The implication seemed to be that someone else was responsible for the post.

When asked why the Facebook account was closed, Mr Anutin said "My son wanted me to have a break," according to Manager Online. He said he or his team members had other accounts to communicate with his followers.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ntine-post

[Gaybutton]

As you can see, now there are a great many cancellations and postponements. So far no decisions have been made about Songkran. I have no idea what it might be, but my prediction is they're going to do something that goes beyond concert cancellations.

Songkran is difficult for Thai powers-that-be. Songkran is Thailand's biggest holiday of the year.

Again it is emphasized that so far there are no reported Corona virus cases in Pattaya. The cancellations and postponements are precautionary measures to hopefully keep it that way.
_________________________________________________________

Pattaya City cancels or postpones nearly every City sponsored event through September due to Covid-19 Coronavirus, Songkran still in discussion at national level

By Adam Judd

March 4, 2020

Pattaya City Hall held a meeting this afternoon with city leaders and the Mayor and have announced that due to the worldwide outbreak of the novel Covid-19 Coronavirus they have decided to postpone or cancel nearly every City sponsored event through September of 2020. (Full list below)

They also are speaking with organizers of large private events and discussing potential postponement or cancellations as well.

This all comes as part of the direction released from the National Thailand Government to use preventative measures to discourage mass gatherings of people to stop any potential spread of the Covid19 Coronavirus. Pattaya has no cases, city officials reiterated and the cancellations were all preventative.

A notable exception so far is Songkran, as it needs to be further discussed and is in discussions at a national level as it is the biggest holiday of the year in Thailand.

Additionally, should the virus situation subside and come under control events may resume, city officials added.


March 2020
– Postpone the 17th Pattaya Open Swimming Competition, 7 – 8 March 2020
– Cancellation of Martial Arts Expo, 8 – 10 March 2020
– Postpone Pattaya Marine Run 2020, 14 March 2020
– Cancellation of Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration, 17 March 2020
– Postpone the Pattaya Music Festival 20-21 March 2020
– Postpone the Pattaya Trail 2020 project, 29 March 2020

April 2020
– Postpone amateur boxing, King’s Cup, 1 – 10 April 2020
– The Thai Heritage Conservation Day Project, 2 – 4 April 2020, is being considered by the organizer. If going to carry out activities, can just organize a cultural exhibition for other public activities, cancel
– Postpone the Pattaya mountain bike competition, 4 – 5 April 2020
– Cancel the procession to promote Buddhism to pay homage to the Buddha’s relics on April 13, 2020, which can be opened to the public as usual. For the prosperity of the Thai New Year
– Cancellation of the tradition for the construction of sand pagodas on 17 April 2020
– Traditions of Wan Lai Naklua and Wan Lai Pattaya/Songkran Festival on the 18th and 19th April 2020, awaiting the resolution of a meeting this Friday with high level Government officials.
– Cancellation of the Traditions for the Division of Pattaya City, 20 April 2020
– Postpone the Thailand 2nd windsurfing competition, April 2020.
– Postponement of Pattaya Night Run on 25 April 2020

May 2020
– The ultimate international sailing competition, 1 – 6 May 2020, is under the coordination of the organizers and they will make a final decision.
– Cancellation of Taekwondo Pattaya Open, 2 – 3 May 2020
– Cancellation of a walk-run event for Visakha Bucha, observing the precepts of 5, relenting on vices on 6 May 2020
– Postponed Pattaya Seafood Festival, 8 – 10 May 2020
– Show of mixing skills in Pattaya, 15-16 May 2020, in the process of coordinating with the organizers
– Postpone the Bikini Run on May 16, 2020.
– Postpone the Futsal Pattaya Cup competition, 22-22 May 2020
During May 2020, postponing the Pattaya Beach Games.

June 2020
– Postpone the Pattaya Cup football match from 13 – 28 June 2020
– World Yoga Day, 21 June 2020. If arranged on the beach area, cancel. But can be arranged at the San Ken area Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
– Postpone the Pattaya Fireworks and music Festival 27 – 29 June 2020

July 2020
– Exhibitions, trade fairs, and tourist service competitions, 3 – 5 July 2020, are in coordination with the organizers.
– Postpone the Pattaya Marathon on 19 July 2020
– Postpone Thailand Open Karate-do Championshilp 2020, 22 – 26 July 2020

August 2020
– Postponed Sepak Takraw Pattaya Cup competition, 20 – 23 August 2020

September 2020
– Postpone the walk-run competition on the beach on 13 September 2020

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/03/04/p ... nal-level/

[Gaybutton]

Thailand has cancelled all Full Moon parties until further notice due to Covid19 Coronavirus

By Adam Judd

March 5, 2020

Koh Phangan - As cancellations rack up and events that were to be attended by tens of thousands continue to be cancelled the Mayor of Koh Phangan announced today that all Full Moon parties are cancelled until futher notice.

The cancellation is due to the concerns of the potential spread of the Covid19 novel Coronavirus.

The full moon parties are usually attended by tens of thousands and critical to the economy of Koh Phangan.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/03/05/t ... ronavirus/

[Gaybutton]

Note that Chonburi is the name of Pattaya's province, but the city of Chonburi is about 60km (40 miles) north of Pattaya.

At the time of this post there are NO reported cases in Pattaya.
______________________________________________________

Four new local Covid-19 cases

Healthy arrivals from 'risk countries' to be quarantined

by Apinya Wipatayotin and Wassana Nanuam

March 5, 2020

The Public Health Ministry on Thursday reported four new local coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases - men aged 20-42 years who arrived from Iran and Italy in the past week.

It was also confirmed that healthy people returning from Covid-19 risk countries will be quarantined at specific and guarded facilities - the countries and facilities still to be announced.

Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said one of the four new cases was an Italian, aged 29, who arrived from Italy on Sunday. He passed thermal screening at the airport, but the following day he sought treatment for a fever and cough at a private hospital.

He was then referred to Chon Buri Hospital in Chon Buri province.

The second new patient is a Thai man, aged 42. He arrived from Italy on Monday and later sought treatment at a private hospital in Chon Buri for a fever, cough and sore throat. The two cases were not related.

The third is a Chinese student, aged 22. He arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province from Iran on Sunday, intending to take a connecting flight. He had a fever, runny nose and a cough and was taken to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi province.

The fourth is a Thai student, 20, who returned from Iran on Feb 27. He went to a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on Monday with a fever and runny nose.

The new cases raise the number of local Covid-19 cases to 47. Of these, 31 have recovered and returned home, 15 remained at hospitals and one died.

The Public Health Ministry also had 3,895 patients under investigation, of which 1,576 remained at hospitals.

Dr Suwannachai said that healthy people returning from Covid-19 risk countries would be quarantined at specific and guarded facilities. Previous returnees were being monitored.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said five military compounds were prepared to quarantine Thai workers who would return from South Korea.

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanit declined to elaborate on their locations, citing security reasons.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-19-cases
___________________________________________________________________________

Four more cases of Covid-19 announced in Thailand, all recently back from Iran or Italy

By Adam Judd

March 5, 2020

Four more cases of the novel Coronavirus have been confirmed in Thailand this morning:

The cases are:

1. Thai man, 20, back from Iran on February 27 and went to the hospital on March 2 in Nakhon Si Thammarat
2. Thai man, 42, back from Italy on March 2, went to hospital March 3 and was taken to be treated at a hospital in Chonburi.
3. Chinese man, 22 , back from Iran and being treated at the Bamrasanaradura Infectious Disease Institute. He was found to have a fever while in transit to China at the Suvarnabhumi Airport and never formally entered the country.
4. Italian man, 29, arrived in Thailand March 1st, went to a hospital on March 2, being treated at a hospital in Chonburi

Thailand now has 47 total cases since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Coronavirus, with 31 having recovered and gone home, fifteen currently in the hospital and one fatality, a man who also had medical complications and dengue fever.

The head of Disease Control in Thailand, Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, head of the Disease Control Department, confirmed all of today’s cases and said their contacts are being traced.

There is still no sign of true community spread in Thailand, the Disease Control Department added.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/03/05/f ... -or-italy/

[werner99]

At first I thought Werner was making a mistake by postponing his trip to Thailand, but with things so confusing and convoluted, along with so many unanswered questions and new questions popping up all the time, maybe postponing his trip really was the smart choice.

I think I was correct in postponing my trip. Rules about restrictions and quarantines seem to be changing almost by the day as this virus becomes a pandemic. And staff of international airlines cannot keep up.

I have a Swiss passport, and I just learned today that a couple countries are now denying entry to Swiss citizens or demanding quarantine because of the virus cases in Switzerland.

And I have not been in Switzerland, for several months, although I plan to go there in a few days.

In addition, there are cases in which a whole planeload of passengers - or a whole inn of lodgers-- has been put in quarantine because one person was found to be infected. These are crazy and dangerous times to travel.