THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020 thephuketnews thephuketnews1 thephuketnews.com Friday, June 5 – Thursday, June 11, 2020 Since 2011 / Volume X / No. 21 20 Baht LAST COVID PATIENTS LEAVE HOSPITAL CARE > PAGE 2 NEWS PAGE 3 ‘Fit to Travel’ no longer required NOW OPEN as island reopens HOTELS, TOURISM BUSINESSES LIFE PAGE 6 The Last Dance: ALLOWED TO Michael Jordon’s REOPEN lasting legacy Receptionist Wachaporn Euangkhoksung stands ready to welcome guests at the 47-room Art Mansion boutique hotel in Patong on Tuesday, after reopning on Monday (June 1). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot PAGE 12 cautious in his understanding of its After confirming that hotels were as there are no tourists right now, but SPORT The Phuket News [email protected] immediate impact. indeed allowed to open, Mr Thanusak if they are ready they can reopen,” Mr Thanusak was unaware of praised the move. he added. Premier League ll hotels and tourism-related the rule change when contacted by “Those hotels in a position to Mr Thanusak pointed out that ho- businesses were allowed to The Phuket News on Monday. At reopen now can do so. Allowing tels must now adjust their operations gets green light Areopen on Monday (June 1) that time there had been no public hotels to reopen can help to reduce to include the ‘new normal’ health for kick-off under an order issued late last Sun- announcements that hotels and all unemployment in Phuket,” he said. and hygiene requirements, not only day night that also allowed people to tourism businesses were permitted Mr Thanusak pointed out that to abide by the law but also to help enter and exit Phuket for travel, but to resume operations. No warning many hotels were not prepared to instill confidence among potential specifically listed for all beaches in was given so that any hotels or tour- open immediately, as many had tourists to want to come to Phuket. Phuket to remain closed. ism businesses could prepare. The wound down their operations since He also pointed out that more Phuket Chamber of Commerce permission was buried deep in the they were ordered to close on April 4. needed to be done to allow tourists President Thanusak Phungdet wel- order issued by Phuket Governor “But at least this gives hotel op- to come to Phuket, namely reopening comed the move to allow hotels Phakaphong Tavipatana, listed on erators a choice. Those who are not Phuket International Airport to at least across the island to reopen, but was page 34 of the 37-page order. ready to reopen can remain closed, allow domestic flights for now, and... CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 @thephuketnews 2 PHUKET NEWS THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020 [email protected] Rains bring warning for News dengue > p5 Last COVID patients go home The Phuket News name was not disclosed, told the press, that was transferred to Vachira hos- [email protected] “I would like to thank the medical pital, though none of the three people staff for their care. Throughout the who have died in Phuket from being he last three patients in Phuket period of treatment I was closely infected with the virus were reported infected with COVID-19 to be monitored, warmly. to have been admitted to the field Tadmitted to hospital for medi- “And I am glad to go home today, hospital. cal treatment have been discharged but I will strictly follow the doctors’ The field hospital has now been from hospital care. advice,” she said. closed “temporarily” so that medical The last two patients receiving The woman also urged, “I want personnel can perform their duties care at the field hospital set up at the to ask people in Phuket to please take in their usual areas, Dr Busaya said. site of the unfinished new Provincial care of yourselves, and if you are sick, “But we will still keep medical Hall went home last Saturday (May you should go see a doctor and you equipment, beds, mattresses and ap- 30). The third, and last, patient, must tell them the truth for treatment pliances here until the situation of the receiving care at Bangkok Hospital One of the last COVID patients to be discharged from medical care at to be safe from COVID-19.” spread of COVID-19 reaches normal Phuket, was discharged last Sunday the ‘field hospital’ in Phuket Town talks to the press. Photo: PR Phuket No details of the other patient conditions,” she added. (May 31). discharged from the facility last As of Tuesday (June 2), Phuket The milestone came as the field “This was the first time this idea pital came with heart and sacrifice. Saturday were made available. marked eight days without a new hospital set at the “new” Provincial has been tried in Phuket,” she said. Although they knew they would be Dr Busaya reported that the field confirmed case reported. Hall was closed last Sunday follow- Dr Busaya also praised all parties at risk [of contracting the virus], they hospital had treated a total of 121 The Phuket office of the Public ing an order by Phuket Governor involved in setting up the facility, performed their duties in taking good since it opened. “Two of those pa- relations Department reported that Phakaphong last week. The ‘second especially the medical staff stationed care of patients,” she added. tients were transferred to Vachira 26 people were still waiting for tests field hospital’ set up at the Prince of there, said the report. Dr Busaya called on people to Phuket Hospital as their condition to confirm whether or not they were Songkla University Phuket campus in “I would like to thank the Phuket observe the ‘new normal’ and to deteriorated and their symptoms infected, an increase of six compared Kathu had already closed on May 15. Governor, Vice Governor, the Direc- protect themselves from the virus became serious,” she said. with Monday. Dr Busaya Santisan of Vachira tor of Vachira Phuket Hospital and by wearing face masks, maintaining “One of those two patients was So far three people in Phuket Phuket Hospital, director of the all sectors that supported the opera- social distance and washing their later transferred back to the field have died as a direct result of being Provincial Hall field hospital, took tions of the field hospital as well,” hands frequently. hospital after the symptoms were infected with COVID-19, including the opportunity to praise the island’s said Dr Busaya. One of the two patients discharged not so serious,” she added. an Australian hotel manager from officials for the idea of setting up “In addition, the readiness of the from the facility last Saturday, a 58 Dr Busaya made no mention of Khao Lak whose family lived in field hospitals. personnel on duty at this field hos- year-old woman from Thalang whose what happened to the other patient Nai Harn. Hopes high for return of domestic flights Continued from page 1 force to prevent the spread ...critically for international of COVID-19, the notice said. flights later. However, the current ban That might be soon. The on all inbound commercial Airports of Thailand manage- passenger flights into the ment team at Phuket airport country is not set to expire (AoT Phuket) on Monday until June 30. announced it was “ready to Meanwhile, Mr Thanusak receive passengers” ahead Management at Phuket also pointed out, “More needs of the current order banning airport is hoping to reopen to be done in terms of market- domestic flights to Phuket set to domestic flights on June ing also, so potential tourists to expire at 23:59pm on June 16. Photo: AoT Phuket can feel confident in choosing 15, “unless otherwise ordered”. to enjoy their holiday here.” All people looking to travel Provincial Police (see page Mr Thansuak also repeated via Phuket airport must reg- 3), and register through the his advice for hoteliers to use ister their intended travel AOT AIRPORTS app. They the COVID-19 forced closure through the PhuketSmartCh- must also to abide by all the as a time to renovate properties eck-In app overseen by Phuket health regulations now in and train staff. thephuketnews THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020 THEPHUKETNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020 PHUKET NEWS 3 ‘Fit to Travel’ no longer needed The Phuket News number and their intended purpose [email protected] for either entering or leaving Phuket. People must also select their provincial order issued time they intended to present them- last Sunday night (May 31) selves at Phuket Check Point to be A reopened interprovincial processed to be allowed to enter or travel to and from Phuket by road leave Phuket so that police can avoid and sea. The relaxation of the con- over-congestion at the checkpoint. trols on people entering or leaving “Then they will be issued a Phuket by road means that people personalised QR Code that they will no longer need to wait for approval need to show officers at the Phuket from provincial authorities in order Check Point,” Maj Gen Rungrote to be allowed through the Phuket explained. Check Point at the northern tip of For people entering Phuket, each the island, Phuket Provincial Police person will be registered for differ- Commander Maj Gen Rungrote ent lengths of time, depending on Thakurapunyasiri said on Monday. their stated reason for entering the However, people must still register province. their intent to enter or leave Phuket People visiting Phuket for travel with the Phuket Provincial Police and or business will see their registration book their allocated time for entering remain valid for seven days, while or leaving Phuket in order to avoid people coming to Phuket to work congestion at the checkpoint, he said.