By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, March 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Thailand Thursday launched an online application to track locals and visitors coming from six COVID-19 high-risk countries and territories – China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong and Macau – to ensure they undergo 14-day home quarantine.
Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, said the application was to ensure Thais and visitors returning from Disease Infected Zones of the COVID-19 stayed indoor for 14 days during the incubation period.
“Those returning from these six high-risk countries will download the application after the screening process at the airport. They’ll need to fill in their personal information and address. The authority will track them via real time location.
“Those who breach the instruction may face jail term of one year and fine up to 100,000 baht (about RM13,470) or both,” he said at a press conference here Thursday.
Travellers from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong and Macau with COVID-19 symptoms must undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Those without symptoms must undergo home quarantine at their home town (for local Thais) while foreigners will be quarantined at a hotel in Suvarnabhumi Airport for 14 days.
They must record their own symptoms in the reporting system and strictly monitor their symptoms as required by the Public Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda said the temporary suspension for Visa on Arrival (VoA) for 19 countries and territories as well as cancellation of visa exemption for South Korea, Italy and Hong Kong would take effect Friday until Sept 30 to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“Those who want to travel to Thailand need to apply for visa attached with a medical certificate to prove they are free of COVID-19 at the Thai embassy in their countries,” he said.
All passengers are required to present health certificates, accompanied by lab results, verifying they are free of COVID-19 and valid no more than 48 hours prior to check-in. Otherwise, their boarding passes will not be issued by air operators.
–NNN-BERNAMA