The government is looking into converting some old hotels in Bangkok and adjacent provinces into Covid-19 treatment facilities if more space is needed for this purpose, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said.
Mr Sathit, speaking after a cabinet meeting, said yesterday the Public Health Ministry came up with the idea of converting hotels to make room for patients who do not have severe Covid-19 symptoms.
He said the project will be launched if the number of infections continues to climb, and the demand outstrips available space in hospitals.
According to the ministry, converted hotels will provide up to 2,000 rooms and hotels interested in joining the project can contact the ministry.
The deputy minister said the government will cover all expenses of the conversions, using funds tapped from the central budget.
Once the project is launched, officials of the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Medical Services and related agencies will oversee the conversions.
Mr Sathit admitted the project may run into problems, including resistance from people living close to these hotels.
He added that the authorities will be explaining to local residents that the project is of paramount importance in the country's battle against the Covid-19 outbreak. If people refuse to cooperate, they will be obstructing the chance of helping to contain the spread of the virus, Mr Sathit said.
He added if patients believe there is a shortage of treatment facilities, they may not come forward and cases will go unchecked, and if infections continue spreading, the problem will expand and affect everyone, Mr Sathit said.
He insisted that no matter how hard one tries to push the problem away, they cannot escape it.
"This is a national issue. We must do our part. It's a matter of conscience," Mr Sathit said.