Simummuang Market, Thailand’s biggest vegetable and fruit distribution centre located in Pathum Thani province’s Lam Luk Ka district, is partially closed from today (Wednesday) until Friday after some workers there were found to be infected with COVID-19.

According to an announcement by the management of the market, only the zones for seasoned and imported vegetables are closed and they will reopen for normal business on Saturday.

The partial closure came after an active screening for Covid-19 conducted last Friday (May 7th) found some infections among workers in the two sections. The closed sections will reopen only to vendors with negative Covid-19 results.

Health officials from Lam Luk Ka district have been conducting additional active screening in the market, said to be the biggest of its kind in ASEAN, yesterday and today. Screening for up to 10,000 people is being undertaken at the old fruit market from 8am until 4pm and from 7pm until 3am.

According to the management, those found to be infected have been admitted to hospitals for treatment, while others considered at high risk, have been placed in quarantine for 14 days.

The management also said that the vendors in the closed zones will not be charged rental fees during the three-day closure, and that Sinovac vaccine will be available for 2,000 vendors and employees in the vegetable zones this Friday (May 14th).