All employers in Thailand have been sternly warned not to hire illegal migrant workers, or face closure, by the country’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Monday).

He also urged members of the public to alert officials if they encounter illegal migrant workers and provincial officials are to conduct random health screenings of migrant workers in their respective provinces.

He said that the new COVID-19 outbreak indicates that there are loopholes in the enforcement of regulations and health safety guidelines, allowing illegal migrants to enter Thailand and obtain work.

The prime minister said that he will assess the situation for another seven days before deciding on the next move, but he asked people not to panic and to trust country’s health system, assuring that the situation will improve soon.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, meanwhile, said the current outbreak, especially in Samut Sakhon, has not yet reached epidemic proportions, noting that most infections are confined to a limited area.

He disclosed that a 100 bed field hospital has been set up in a community of Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon, adding that there are sufficient medical supplies and face masks to meet the demand.

He expressed confidence that the outbreak is under control.