Samut Sakhon stadium to be converted into field hospital in two days
Samut Sakhon Governor Weerasak Wijitsaengsri on Saturday gave the go-ahead for setting up a field hospital.
The hospital will be set up at Samut Sakhon Provincial Stadium located in Mahachai subdistrict, Muang district to serve as a treatment and quarantine centre for confirmed patients and those suspected of contracting the Covid-19 virus in the province, a news source revealed.
The governor's order was approved by the Samut Sakhon Communication Disease Committee, which also stipulated that unauthorised persons be prohibited from entering the stadium effective immediately. Violators will face a maximum one year imprisonment or Bt100,000 fine, or both, under the Communicable Diseases Act BE 2558, as well as a maximum two years' imprisonment or Bt40,000 fine, or both, under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations BE 2548.
The source added that the field hospital would have 500 beds. The governor has ordered related agencies, including Department of Public Works and Town Planning and Samut Sakhon Sports Authority to finish setting up the field hospital within two days.
Earlier this week, the province surveyed the Thailand National Sports University Samut Sakhon campus, located in Bang Ya Phraek subdistrict, regarding the possibility of turning the campus into a field hospital for Covid-19 patients.
On Thursday hundreds of locals showed up at the university to protest the province’s decision, citing that some 10,000 people live near the university, and there are many kindergartens and nurseries nearby as well as a child development centre.
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