Sadao checkpoint closed over new Covid-19 cases

Sadao checkpoint closed over new Covid-19 cases

The border checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla, above, has been temporarily closed after two immigration police officers were infected with Covid-19. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
The border checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla, above, has been temporarily closed after two immigration police officers were infected with Covid-19. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)

SONGKHLA: The border checkpoint in Sadao district was temporarily closed at noon on Wednesday after two immigration police officers were found to have been infected with Covid-19, Supreme Commander Gen Pornpipat Benyasri said on Wednesday afternoon.

Gen Pornpipat, who is in charge of security affairs for the centre for the resolution of emergency situations, made an inspection trip to the Sadao immigration checkpoint opposite Malaysia's Kedah State.

The Sadao checkpoint was closed for disinfection from noon on Wednesday after 110 Thai workers had gone through immigration procedures on their return from Malaysia.

When the checkpoint will reopen depends on the assessment of the Covid-19 situation, he said.

During the closure, only vehicles for freight deliveries are allowed through the checkpoint.

Thai workers due to return via the Sadao checkpoint will be redirected to the Padang Besar checkpoint, which is also in Sadao district, opposite Perlis State.

Gen Pornpipat said that since April 18 when five border checkpoints with Malaysia were reopened, about 1,600 Thai workers had returned to their home country through them. All of the returnees had been quarantined, but none had been found infected with Covid-19.

Asked about illegal entry by some Thai workers through natural border crossings in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat, Gen Pornpipat said the 4th Army commander had stepped up patrols along the border to prevent this recurring.

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