COVID-19: Phuket on partial lockdown

Popular resort island Phuket has been placed on partial lockdown from yesterday until April 30 in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Phuket recorded nine new COVID-19 cases, bringing the tally to 62 in the island.

The Governor of Phuket Province, Phakaphong Tavipatana, said all land and sea entry and exit points into the island will be closed effective midnight on March 30.

He said cars, trucks and vessels transporting commodities, essential goods, medical supplies and equipment, and construction materials, as well as rescue and emergency vehicles and governmental vehicles are exempted.

“All of Phuket’s entry and exit points will be closed with the exception of air transportation channel,” he said in a statement.

However, he said members of diplomatic corps and international organisations operating in the island as well as representatives of the government performing their duties will be allowed entry though they need to present a health certificate issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.

“They must strictly comply with disease prevention measures imposed by the government,” he said.

Yesterday, Phuket announced the closure of all beaches, zoos, and walking streets. A day before, Phakaphong urged the people to stay at home from 8 pm to 3 am to curb the spread of COVID-19.

All public vans and buses are banned from entering and exiting Phuket, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat starting today while train services will be suspended starting April 1.

Besides Phuket, three southern provinces -- Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani -- have also been placed on lockdown following a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. Two deaths have been reported in Yala so far.

As of 1 pm Monday, Thailand reported 136 new COVID-19 cases and one fatality, bringing the tally to 1,524 cases and death toll to nine.

A 56-year-old Thai woman died at a private hospital in Bangkok on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Pakkapong Pongpetra, said at least 27 police officers were infected with COVID-19 while another 326 were under quarantine pending test results.

“The infected officers fall into two groups – officials who returned from a working trip in Spain and those who visited Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and entertainment outlets in Thong Lor,” he said.

To date, Thailand has recorded 1,524 COVID-19 cases with 127 having been discharged while 1,388 are still receiving treatment in hospitals, including 23 in critical condition.

Of the number, 715 cases were reported in Bangkok, 82 in Southern Thailand and 727 in other provinces. A total of 1,297 patients are Thais and the remaining 227 are foreigners.

-- BERNAMA