All state-designated quarantine centres including the one at Chon Buri's Sattahip naval base will not be shut down, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said on Thursday.
He admitted that he had made a mistake in communicating, which had led to the misunderstanding that 232 quarantine centres would be closed down, saying the government decided to change its quarantine measures requirement by also asking people to self-isolate at home.
He said the state-designated facilities will remain open to ensure a prompt response in case of widespread Covid-19 infection and emphasised that self-quarantine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Vice Adm Prachachart Sirisawat, a navy spokesman, said that about 240 Thai workers who returned after working illegally in South Korea this week will be sent to their home provinces for self-quarantine today.
It was agreed that the workers would be sent to their home province out of concerns that keeping many people quarantined in one place may lead to widespread infection.
However, the naval facility will still serve as a quarantine site to accommodate those who may require being isolated in the future.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said state quarantine facilities are necessary to accommodate Thais who are scheduled to arrive from South Korea or those who are unable to self-isolate.
There may be cases where local communities do not have the capability to take care of the infected or situations in which people do not have health certificates from countries they have travelled to.
As for the 240 Thai workers at the naval facility, Ms Narumon said they will undergo health checks and be interviewed before they are allowed to leave the facility as authorities have to ensure that they self-isolate at home.
In a press statement issued by the Sattahip quarantine facility, 16 buses are being arranged to transport the 240 workers to their hometowns and the first bus was scheduled to leave at 8am today to transport those who live the furthest distance from the base.
Thirteen large buses have been arranged -- seven are heading to the Northeast, three to the North and three to the South -- and two minibuses have also been arranged for those who live in Chon Buri and Rayong. Last but not least, one minibus for Bangkok and neighbouring areas has also been arranged.
Officials will go with the workers to monitor them and provincial health officers, who will help arrange further quarantining and provide guidelines, will meet them at their destinations.