TAT reassures tourists with heightened preventive measures against coronavirus

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has released a statement to express its thanks for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have booked travel to Thailand over the next few months for their continued support, as well as to reassure that the country has heightened preventive measures for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Thailand has effective health surveillance systems for disease control

Since the beginning of this year, Thailand has implemented travellers’ health screening with thermal scans at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi International Airports. Health surveillance systems are also in place at the Department of Airports’ 28 other airports nationwide including the above-mentioned Krabi Airport, and the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International, Samui, Sukhothai and Trat Airports. All have stepped up hygiene measures, including extra cleaning and disinfection as well as provided hand sanitisers.

“Fee waiver policies”

Thai airlines have also implemented preventive measures, including passengers’ health screening and intensifying hygiene measures. Several airlines have also announced fee waiver policies for flight changes and cancellations, credit accounts and refunds on reserved tickets for flights to high-risk destinations.

The Department of Health, Ministry of Public 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 Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, has released a series of recommendations for the general public and the public and private organisations as well as operators of public spaces on the coronavirus preventive measures. For the full list of recommendations, click: https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/introduction.php.

Thailand’s tourism and travel activities go on as usual

While a massive preventive campaign is underway nationwide to block the spread of the 2019-nCoV, all shops, department stores, attractions, restaurants, museums and tourist spots are open as normal. All events, sports activities, conferences and exhibitions are proceeding normally.

By just taking normal medical precautions, visitors can proceed with their plans as usual. Follow the Department of Disease Control’s daily recommendations for protecting yourself from pneumonia caused by the coronavirus: frequently wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol gel; do not use your hands to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unnecessarily, and strictly follow the “avoid eating uncooked food, use serving spoons, wash your hands” instructions.

For more information:

• The Department of Disease Control provides daily updates of the 2019-nCoV in Thailand in Chinese, English and Thai on its website (https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/introduction.php).

• For information and assistance relating to your travel experience in Thailand, call the TAT Contact Centre 1672 and Tourist Police 1155.

• The TAT’s offices in Thailand and around the world are ready to help and act as coordination centres for those people wanting any information updates on the 2019-nCov situation in Thailand.