Disease Control Dept highlights Covid risks for Chinese New Year
THE NATION
There are several Covid-19 risks associated with upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations from January 28 to February 3, Department of Disease Control hazard communications director Sumanee Wacharasin noted on Tuesday.
They are:
- Family gatherings from many places for partying or worshipping of ancestors.
- Ancestor worshipping among many family members “inside homes”.
- Travelling to markets or supermarkets to buy offerings, causing crowds
- Travelling to restaurants to dine or meet with extended families, friends
- Travelling to shrines to make wishes or pay respect, leading to crowded venues.
Sumanee also advised strict prevention measures at high-risk venues such as restaurants, markets, shrines, or places for a family gatherings:
1. Deploy Covid-free personnel:
- Organisers and staff must be vaccinated according to the criteria.
- They must be tested with antigen kits not more than 72 hours before events.
- They should evaluate the level of risk before entering and use Thai Save Thai or other related applications.
- Everyone must follow the UP-DMHTA measure (universal prevention – distancing, mask wearing, regular hand washing, temperature checks and testing, and using the Thai Chana and Thai Save Thai applications).
- Everyone must avoid activities with close contact, such as dancing or entertainment events.
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2. Improve safety with Covid-free customers:
- Attendees/visitors must register and present their vaccination certificates or antigen test results within 72 hours.
- They must evaluate risks before entering and use Thai Save Thai or other related applications.
- They must follow UP-DMHTA measures.
3. Have a Covid-free environment
- Follow Covid-Free Setting measures strictly.
- Have screening points for staff, while attendees must register.
- Clean the area, equipment and surfaces before and after an event. Toilets and contact points must be cleaned every 1-2 hours.
- The audience should be kept at least five metres away from the concert/entertainment stages. Booths and stores at events must be separated by at least 1-2 metres.
- The number of attendees must be limited to one person per four square metres and a sign must show the number of the audience. Avoid gathering at one spot.
- Closed areas should be well-ventilated.
- Walking areas, ventilation should not be blocked.
- Reduce the number of spots for worshipping, use electric incense candles.
