Thailand’s National Committee for the Control Infectious Diseases has decided to designate COVID-19 as a dangerous infectious disease, as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said, after the committee’s meeting, that the COVID-19 situation in Thailand has not yet reached the level that warrants Stage 3 escalation, but the virus outbreak in the other countries is a matter of concern because it may complicate the situation in Thailand.
The designation is in accordance with Thailand’s Infectious Diseases Act and will enable authorities to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading by requiring the doctor, housekeeper, supervisor of a clinic or manager of an office to notify disease control officials within three hours of the discovery of a person suspected of being infected by the virus.
Disease control officials are also empowered to order that person to be isolated, quarantined for observation or receive treatment.
In case of emergency, the provincial governor, with the approval of provincial diseases control officials, can order the closure of premises or order such premises to suspend operations temporarily.
