BANGKOK, March 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korea will quarantine Thai workers in the country, legal and illegal, before allowing them to board flights heading back to Thailand, Thai government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said on Friday.
"The quarantine request was launched by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai to South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha," said Narumon. "And South Korea agreed to Thailand's request."
"To allay fear amongst people in Thailand of the estimated 5000 Thai workers from South Korea, Prime Minister Prayut promised that he will ensure the Thai returnees are quarantined, and those who are infected, will receive treatment," the spokeswoman said.
The Thai government wanted South Korea to conduct three measures:
Firstly, apart from the 14-day quarantine in South Korea, all Thai air travelers must be screened to detect illness before boarding their planes to Thailand.
Secondly, South Korean immigration police will record health data of the returning Thai workers.
Finally, South Korea promises to provide Thai workers with free treatment if they are infected with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Airports of Thailand Company (AOT) managing director Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn said Friday that it has ordered the installation of infrared thermal scanners at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai airports and at Mae Fah Luang airport in Chiang Rai, as part of the escalated screening measures.
