Officials Silent on Lockdown Talk As Covid Cases Spread to All Corners of Phuket
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THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, April 30 – Thursday, May 6, 2021 Since 2011 / Volume XI / No. 18 20 Baht ‘PROBLEM FOREIGNERS’ TO BE TARGETTED IN CRACKDOWN > PAGE 3 NEWS PAGE 5 Rapid tests in full swing as EVERYWHERE COVID measure LIFE PAGE 8 Keep it simple: 15 reasons to not eat seafood A Disease Control Division officer conducts COVID site cleansing at a 7-Eleven in Chalong. Photo: PR Phuket OFFICIALS SILENT ON LOCKDOWN TALK AS COVID CASES SPREAD TO ALL CORNERS OF PHUKET SPORT PAGE 16 The Phuket News officially recognised as infected with of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) [email protected] COVID-19 since Apr 3. campus in Kathu. Company Limited. Of the 348 people infected, 255 A further 41 people were receiving Nine people with COVID are re- Aussies bowl huket officials this week had were still under medical care, while treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital ceiving treatment at Mission Hospital over Swedes in yet to make any public rec- 92 people had been discharged from in Phuket Town, along with 27 at Phuket and two are receiving treat- Pognition of the possibility medical care, the PPHO noted. Patong Hospital and 12 at Thalang ment at Phuket Provincial Hospital local tourney of lockdowns on the island as the The PPHO on Tuesday also re- Hospital. in Rassada. number of confirmed COVID-19 leased an updated report of the number Of the privately operated hospitals The report also noted that 92 infections continued to rise in every of COVID patients receiving treatment on the island, 54 people are cur- people had been discharged from area throughout the province. at each hospital. rently receiving COVID treatment at COVID medical care, with one The PPHO on Monday night (Apr The report, dated as accurate as Bangkok Hospital Phuket, along with person referred to another facility, 26) reported that Phuket recorded 13 of 6pm Monday night (Apr 26), noted ZERO at Dibuk Hospital and 28 at which had previously been reported new cases of infection, bringing to 348 that 82 people were receiving medical Bangkok Hospital Siriroj. All three as transferred to Bangkok. the total number of people in Phuket care at ‘Field Hospital 1’ at the Prince hospitals are operated by Bangkok Of note, the PPHO has yet to... CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 @thephuketnews 2 PHUKET NEWS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 [email protected] July 1 push still on the News cards > p6 Infections gain speed across island Continued from page 1 roads, roads around reservoirs, funeral, ordination or wedding. If the ...report the seriousness of infection among other places. activity cannot be postponed, then of any person in Phuket confirmed All restaurants and other food it is to be held in accordance with as infected with COVID-19 during businesses are prohibited from hav- all COVID protection measures,” the current outbreak. ing customers on premises after 9pm, the order notes. The PPHO on Monday also though the business may continue All people were asked to work released an updated map showing to sell food and beverages to be at home where possible, and for the locations of COVID infections consumed elsewhere until 11pm. on-site work arrangements to be on the island. The map, showing 314 All types of restaurants and organised to minimise the risk of cases of infection and marked as food centres are prohibited from spreading infection. accurate as of 6pm Saturday night selling alcohol and the consumption All persons leaving home, work (Apr 24), reported the locations of of liquor or alcoholic beverages is or other location to enter a public infections as follows: Patong 37 prohibited on the premises. area must wear a face mask at all infections; Kathu 30; Kamala 28; Department stores, shopping times unless eating, drinking or Cherng Talay 17; Thepkrasattri centers, community malls or other exercising. 7; Srisoonthorn 14; Pa Khlok 10; similar establishments must close Any person deemed to be at Koh Kaew 9; Rassada 20; Talad at 9pm. They must not hold any risk of infection may be ordered Yai Phuket Town 23; Talad Neua promotional activities and must into quarantine immediately by a Phuket Town 13; Wichit 34; Chalong limit the number of visitors during health official, and are to remain in 24; Rawai 19; Karon 4; Mai Khao open hours. All game machines and quarantine until a medical officer 6; and Sakhu 7. amusement centres at the site are has deemed the person safe to be The PPHO and health officers at not allowed to operate. released. local municipalities have launched Cinemas, theaters, water parks, The raft of prevention measures efforts to dampen the spread of swimming pools ‒ both government are not considered by officials, local COVID-19 in their areas, with and private ‒ that are open to the or national, as any form of “lock- Disease Control Division officers public, including swimming pools down”, just “COVID protection last Sunday conducting COVID site for competitive athletes, are not measures”. cleansing at restaurants and other allowed to open. Meanwhile, a medical officer venues on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong Image: PPHO Convenience stores, supermar- with the respiratory disease depart- where a 20-year-old Icelandic man kets, night markets must close at ment at Vachira Phuket Hospital was known to frequent. The site remain in effect only until today is an activity in an area designated 11pm, and may reopen at 4am. has confirmed that people who are cleansing also included the 7-Eleven (Apr 30), on the presumption that as a quarantine facility. Any such Stadiums or places for outdoor covered by the Social Security Fund branch at Soi Palai, and the Phuket the measures can be continued with activities that are authorised must exercise must close at 9pm. Indoor are covered for COVID treatment. Gallery Restaurant. a quickly issued ‘follow-up order’ followed COVID protection measures fitness courts such as gyms, fitness Any persons presenting them- Phuket Governor Narong Wo- to continue the measures. Massage parlours and traditional centres and badminton courts, are selves to be tested for COVID onciew on Apr 20 issued an order Under the order all pubs, bars massage businesses, massages at prohibited from opening. because the government has asked mandating a raft of prevention and other “entertainment” venues spa businesses, massage businesses The order also mandates that all them to do so will be tested for free, measures to counter the spread of that were previously ordered to for health, massage businesses for ports of entry to the province ‒ by the officer said. infections, though days later had close from Apr 9-18 were ordered beauty, including Thai massage land, sea and air ‒ are monitored and Any persons covered by the fund to issue another order to introduce to remain closed. establishments, foot massages and arrivals are screened for entry to the who present themselves voluntarily mandatory rapid testing of all ar- All in-person classes at any other similar businesses were sus- province, “especially the travel of for a test will also receive a COVID rivals from “red zone” provinces educational institutions, including pended. Traditional treatments at persons from the situation designated test for free, he added. who could not prove they were fully language schools, are prohibited. medical facilities were permitted. as the highest control area”. However, any person who pre- vaccinated or present a COVD-free It is forbidden to organise activi- Walking Street markets are “People should refrain from sents themselves for a COVID test Certificate issued within the previous ties involving groups of more than prohibited. It is forbidden to join organising social events in the without any government office or 72 hours of arriving (see page 5). 50 people unless authorised by the social activities, drink alcohol or form of parties, banquets or fes- officer asking them to do so, and The initial order came into ef- competent official, or is an activity alcoholic beverages in public areas tivities during this time unless it who test negative for the virus, will fect on Apr 21, but was marked to performed by a competent official, or such as parks, playgrounds, canal is a traditional ceremony such as a have to pay, the officer said. New COVID-clear requirements for overnight stays in Phang Nga PEOPLE FROM PHUKET determine whether or not For those staying overnight As of Apr 22, according travelling to Phang Nga and people from the 18 red zone in Phang Nga, arrivals from to the Phang Nga Provin- staying overnight must now provinces for COVID infec- red zone provinces must now cial Public Health Office, prove they are fully vacci- tions will be allowed to enter prove that they are fully vac- Phang Nga had accumulated nated or have tested nega- the province ‒ but only if they cinated or have tested negative 29 officially recognised tive for COVID-19 within are staying overnight. for COVID-19 within 72 hours infections of COVID-19 72 hours of arriving ‒ or People who enter Phang of arriving. during the current out- else face 14 days “Home Nga on day trips and who If arrivals cannot prove break. Among them is an Quarantine” in Phang Nga. are not staying overnight are either of the two requirements, 8-year-old boy. The requirement fol- not required to present any they will be required to ob- Of the 29 cases, 14 were lows Phang Nga Governor evidence that they are not serve “Home Quarantine”, as asymptomatic, 12 patients Chamroen Tipayapongtada infected with COVID-19 and the order calls it, for 14 days suffered only mild symp- issuing a revised order on will not be required to observe or for the duration of their toms of infection, and three Apr 22.