As thousands of visitors have booked travel to Thailand over the next few months, the Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to thank them for their continued support and reassure them of their safety and security from the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Currently, all of TAT’s local offices are constantly monitoring the 2019-nCoV situation in the country and are working closely with their respective local public and private sector partners to prevent the spread of the virus. Actions taken by authorities include workshops on the understanding of the virus and disease control, and preventive efforts including visitors’ health screening and extra hygiene at tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and public transport.
Until further notice, Thailand’s annual events and festivals that are scheduled between now to March 2020 are still taking place as usual, which includes sports activities, conferences, and exhibitions. In addition, all shops, department stores, restaurants, museums, and tourist spots are open as normal.
If you are planning to travel to Thailand in the next few months, you probably have some questions and concerns about the 2019-nCoV in the country. We’re here to answer some questions you might have about traveling to Thailand during this time and some tips on how to stay alert while traveling.
What Preventive Measures are in Place to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus in the Country?
Since January 3rd, Thailand has implemented passengers’ health screening with thermal scans at the country’s four international airports in Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi International Airports for suspected symptoms of the coronavirus disease. These airports have also stepped up hygiene measures, including extra cleaning and disinfection, as well as providing hand sanitizers. If any suspected cases are identified, they will be quarantined and administered further tests.
Thanks to extensive experience in dealing with medical conditions such as SARS and MERS, Thailand has an effective surveillance and screening system for disease control. The efficient screening system detected two 2019-nCoV cases in Chinese nationals, traveling from Wuhan, China. Both have been completely cured and have been returned home, according to the Department of Disease Control.
Hotels, tour operators, airlines and all other providers of products and services to visitors are also taking 100% action to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. With this is in mind, the Ministry of Public Health has launched the “Big Cleaning Week” to build health literacy among the general public by adjusting personal hygiene behavior for the cleaning of houses, workplaces, and public places to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Department of Health has stressed the importance of strict hygiene measures at government places, restaurants, food stalls, hotels, and petrol stations. The measures also cover public transport, including city buses and commuter vans, rapid transit (sky train and subway) and ferries, as well as intercity buses, coaches and trains.
The Ministry also dispatched health and medical personnel to observe visitors’ health screening and prevention efforts at attractions popular with tourists including Asiatique The Riverfront and Siam Niramit.
Are Any Local Events Going to be Canceled Due to the Virus?
All of Thailand’s annual events and festivals that are scheduled between now to March 2020 are taking place as usual, which includes sports activities, conferences, and exhibitions. In addition, all shops, department stores, restaurants, museums, and tourist spots are open as normal.
For more information and the calendar of events and festivals in Thailand, visit http://thailandfestival.org/en
Tips on How You Can Reduce the Risk of Coronavirus While Traveling
TAT would like to remind everyone to strictly adhere to everyday hygienic habits, which can help prevent the spread of several viruses, especially when you are out and about enjoying travel experiences in Thailand. Some of these habits include:
• Cleaning your hands with soaps and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Covering the nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Bring a mask when you are out and about, especially if you are coughing, sneezing, have a sore throat and/or a runny nose.
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly.
• Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.
If you are a Thai or international tourist who are traveling from Wuhan, China, seek immediate medical advice and treatment if you are experiencing these emergency warning signs within 14 days: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath. You can also contact the Department of Disease Control hotline 1422.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is Ready to Help
TAT would like to emphasize that the Thai tourism industry will do everything possible to strictly implement preventive measures and heighten active surveillance for all tourists in Thailand to be protected from being exposed to the virus. This is consistent with the policy of the Thai tourism industry to provide and maintain quality services.
The TAT’s offices in Thailand and around the world are ready to help and act as coordination centers for those people wanting any information updates on the coronavirus situation in Thailand. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or the Tourist Police Hotline 1155.
Continue to follow us on social media for updates on the traveling situations around Thailand. You can also visit https://www.tatnews.org/category/thailand-tourism-updates/ for the most current news updates.
