WEATHERING THE COVID STORM

The novel coronavirus outbreak has become a hot topic at home and in the office, something we’ve talked about almost every day as the health authorities try to educate people how to protect themselves from infection. Specialists have suggested that people shouldn’t panic, but I can’t help feeling nervous.

Two weeks ago, I received an invitation from a leading hotel chain to visit its property in Malaysia, but I am reluctant to travel overseas at this time. I thought hard but said yes after searching for information about the situation in Malaysia.

The travel plans were in place until last Tuesday. But then the Bangkok Post suggested employees not travel to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. It isn’t worth putting ourselves at risk.

Health authorities have expanded coronavirus screening to those travelling from Japan and Singapore, but Thailand found three new virus cases last week.

A grandpa and grandma had just returned from Hokkaido and came into contact with their eight-yearold grandchild. But the grandfather presented at hospital with a cough and fever, yet denied having travelled abroad when the doctor asked him.

For two days, he was hospitalised and came into contact with 30 medical staff members before exposing his travel history. He risked becoming a super-spreader like the woman in South Korea. Self-quarantine for 14 days is required after travelling to high-risk countries. Everyone should learn to take responsibility for our society.

Coronavirus is not an outside problem anymore.

With the quick spread of Covid19 in Japan, the famous Tokyo Marathon will field only elite and wheelchair athletes. The on-ground activities for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants event in Saga Prefecture have been cancelled, but the awards will be given in an online streamed event.

The epidemic has wreaked havoc on the tourism industry, aviation industry, and economy around the world. In Thailand, Nok Air stopped 30 routes to China, while Nokscoot discharged 11 pilots and 36 cabin-crew members to save costs.

The Tourism Council of Thailand believes the impact will last longer than six months, and the losses will be larger than the TAT’s projection of 250 billion baht. In January, the number of Chinese tourists was 40% lower than a year earlier. An 80-90% drop is expected in the next two months.

Last weekend, I visited Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pattaya. Verdant and shady, it houses the huge Cactus Garden, brand-new Dinosaur Valley, Garden in the Sky, Stonehenge Garden, Butterfly Hill, and French Garden, which are now in silence, making it a haven for some Thai families and expats. There was no queue in front of the photogenic backdrops.

In Bangkok, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld are the top choices for my friends and I to hang out in after work. The Chinese tourists have disappeared and we can order a favourite dish at any cafe and take a table at any restaurant. No need to register our name for a queue at the entrance.

The Chinese government’s senior medical adviser recently lit a candle of hope when he said the new coronavirus outbreak may be over in April, with the number of new cases declining in some regions.

So, all we can do now is take care of ourselves by wearing a mask, washing our hands frequently, eating cooked food, and avoiding public gatherings.

The Tourism Council of Thailand believes the impact will last longer than six months