Governors told to monitor health of locals returning after Bangkok shutdown
Provincial governors have been told to keep a strict watch on the health of people returning to their honetowns from Bangkok following the shutdown of the Thai capital.
Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoen, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), sent an urgent letter to all governors to monitor and prevent the Covid-19 disease at the district and village level since many people might return as they cannot work in Bangkok.
The letter urges the provincial chiefs to find volunteers for surveillance and monitoring the risk of Covid-19 spreading;
create data of those returning to their hometowns from March 22, and provide them information on the risk of the virus spreading to ensure self-quarantine for 14 days.
The letter also says the returnees must be told to strictly avoid sharing food or food containers with others, or personal use products.
They should also be told to frequently wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds at least or 70 per cent alcohol hand sanitiser; avoid talking or staying close to people, especially senior or chronic disease patients; and immediately alert the local health officer if they develop fever or respiratory symptoms.