Border areas to axe crossings
The Interior Ministry has ordered provincial governors of all border provinces to close borders temporarily to control the spread of Covid-19.
Chatchai Promlert, permanent secretary for the interior, sent urgent letters ordering provincial governors to temporarily close border checkpoints in their provinces.
If there is a need to utilise border crossings, one permanent checkpoint will be allowed to remain open in each province, according to the order.
Chiang Rai which borders Myanmar and Laos is allowed to keep one permanent crossing open for each country but strict measures must be put in place to screen people moving in and out of the borders.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said the Marine Department also issued a new order requiring passengers and crew members on ships entering Thailand to be isolated and quarantined as required by disease control officials.
Operators or owners of the ships must ensure passengers and crew have health certificates issued in the previous three days and Covid19 insurance worth US$100,000 (3.2 million baht).
As for Thai passengers and crew members who want to enter Thailand, they must also have health certificates showing that they are fit for travel, and a certificate for travel issued by Thai embassies, consulates or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The announcement will come into effect tomorrow.
Meanwhile, about 200 Vietnamese migrant workers stranded at an immigration checkpoint in Nakhon Phanom were yesterday allowed to continue their journey via Laos.
The workers took buses crossing the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship bridge to Laos from where they will proceed to Vietnam.
Lao authorities cancelled visas at all border checkpoints from yesterday until April 20, which had left the workers stranded at bus stations in Nakhon Phanom.
However, after negotiations between Thai and Lao immigration officials, they were permitted to continue their journey.
After the Thai government ordered the 14-day closure of entertainment venues, these workers who worked mostly at entertainment venues, decided to return to home.