Seventy-six Thai pilgrims put into isolation

SEVENTY-SIX Thais touched down at Songkhla’s Hat Yai International Airport on Monday evening after going on a “Dawah” (Muslim religious mission) pilgrimage in Indonesia.

Songkhla governor Jaruwat Kliangklao said the 76 and 35 crew who travelled on a Thai Lion Air flight have undergone standard screening procedures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“They were tested for symptoms and fever by officials wearing full protective suits, and the plane will be thoroughly disinfected. No one has shown any Covid-19 symptoms or high fever in the preliminary screening,” said Jaruwat.

The passengers and crew were later transported to quarantine facilities in their hometowns – Songkhla (20 people), Yala (seven), Pattani (14), Narathiwat (seven) and Satun (26). The others, who hail from Chiang Mai and Bangkok, will be quarantined in Songkhla.

All returnees are staying in quarantine facilities for 14 days as required by the Ministry of Public Health. If anyone displays any Covid-19 symptoms including pneumonia, they will be sent immediately to the hospital for treatment.

Speaking at Government House earlier that day, the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said stranded overseas should contact their local Thai Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible if they plan to return home.

“Songkhla provincial Public Health Office and related authorities are ready to take returnees to quarantine areas in line with measures to contain the Covid-19 virus,” he said.

He urged people who wanted to return to the country to contact their Thai Embassy or Consulate because the government needed to know the number of returnees and their date of arrival.

The announcement comes after 152 returnees were threatened with arrest because they refused to go into quarantine after arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday.

“Parents of children overseas can contact the emergency operations centre at Suvarnabhumi Airport for assistance,” he said.

He confirmed that the government will take care of all returnees, but warned them to prepare for medical screening and quarantine on arrival.

“The CCSA has agreed to accommodate 200 returnees per day, so those who wish to return must show themselves to Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates as soon as possible,” said Taweesin.