Bangkok, 06 April, 2020, at 10.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide further updates on our most recent reports on the lockdown of Patong and the unprecedented measures enforced by Phuket province to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
All areas of Karon and Rawai Sub-districts in Mueang District, which are deemed high risks for the COVID-19 infection, have been sealed off from today, 6 April, 2020, until further notice. In addition, Phuket has assigned hotels for stranded tourists as a result of its order to close all hotels.
The lockdown orders for Karon and Rawai Sub-districts include:
- A ban on entry and exit with the exception of vehicles transporting consumer goods, cooking gas, fuel, medical supplies and equipment; rescue vehicles; ambulances, medical emergency vehicles; state vehicles; logistics vehicles for post and newspapers – all of whom must strictly comply with the orders of the local communicable disease control officers.
- Specifically for the area of Karon Sub-district, Phuket has ordered a closure of all stops for public transport, and all public transport is ordered to temporarily suspend their operations.
- To ensure no entry and exit, checkpoints have been set up:
- At Karon Sub-district, the checkpoints are at the Karon Viewpoint, the entrance to Freedom Beach, and Kata Hill – all located on Wiset Road.
- At Rawai Sub-district, the checkpoints are at the Karon-Rawai border on Rop Ko Road and in front of Tesco Lotus Rawai on Wiset Road.
- The local communicable disease control officers are instructed to carry out the screening in accordance with the law.
- Measures to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19:
- The Phuket Provincial Public Health Division will collaborate with Mueang District and Karon and Rawai Sub-district Municipality on the health screening of all residents within the areas of the Karon and Rawai Sub-districts. Any resident deemed at risk will be isolated and transferred to a designated hospital for quarantine or treatment.
- Karon and Rawai Sub-district Municipality will conduct a blanket disinfection of all public areas, streets, residences, and shops.
- Following the previous order on the temporary closure of hotels and similar establishments, operators are to ensure no mobilisation of staff or employees, or to notify authorities if any staff or employees wish to return to their home. All must be done within 7 April, 2020.
- Seeking the collaboration of all residents in the areas of Karon and Rawai Sub-districts not to leave their residence.
Phuket has also designated five hotels to facilitate stranded tourists as a result of its order for all hotels and similar establishments to be closed from 4 April, 2020, until further notice.
Effective from 6 April, 2020, until further notice, tourists can seek accommodation at hotels in three areas at their own expense.
- Mueang District: Dara Hotel Phuket, The THRONE at Sire Phuket, and The Tide Beachfront Siray Phuket. The room rate is 1,000 Baht per night inclusive of breakfast.
- Kathu District: Patong Bay Hill Resort at 650 Baht per night inclusive of breakfast.
- Thalang District: Nai Yang Beach Hotel. The room rates inclusive of three meals are 650 Baht per night on single occupancy and 800 Baht per night on double occupancy.
All hotels are subject to report guests’ details to the local administration for screening measures. Any guest deemed at risk will be isolated and transferred to a designated hospital for quarantine or treatment.
TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/). For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
For constant updates of Thailand’s COVID-19 control measures for travellers, please visit https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php.
This press release is published on 06 April, 2020, at 10.00 Hrs. All information is accurate at the current time but can be changed depending on the situation. The TAT Newsroom will not be updating this press release but will issue new updates as soon as further information becomes available.
