The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) yesterday assured the public that all state quarantine (ASQ) facilities it is overseeing have been complying with disease control measures and standards.
DHSS director-general Tares Krassanairawiwong made the assurance yesterday at a press conference to boost public confidence about ASQ facilities.
His remarks came after a 57-year-old Thai-French national contracted Covid-19 at the Siam Mandarina Hotel in Samut Prakan province. The hotel is one of the ASQ facilities under the care of the department.
Dr Tares said, however, the department will look into some health regulations to improve them to make sure "Covid-19 dispersal will come down to zero" at ASQ facilities.
He said the department plans to implement different "dos and don'ts" for foreigners who come from different countries.
Dr Tares said the Public Health Ministry's communicable disease committee has been assessing the Covid-19 situation twice a month. It has divided countries into three categories ranging from high, medium and low-risk.
He said it is possible that the level of risk will be applied to identify what types of activities people in ASQ facilities can or can't do, he said.
Under this measure, Dr Tares said he believes it can prevent disease exposure for people who stay at ASQ facilities.
"Our committee is working on details and reviewing measures that have been implemented," he said.
"Allowing people to engage in outdoor activities and work out at gyms at the ASQ facilities needs to be revised as it might increase the chances of the disease spreading without proper management.
"Guidelines for people at ASQ hotels will be updated to make sure that they do not spread the disease."
Dr Tares insisted that the department has already implemented standard guidelines for people who stay at ASQ hotels but it has found that some of them have failed to follow the department's recommendations.
He said amendments to some guidelines must be carried out based on health safety standards and guests' convenience.
The Department of Disease Control said the infection involving the Thai-French woman happened at a hotel that she had stayed at for 14 days of quarantine.
It also suggested that people with a high risk of infection should not be allowed to participate in any outdoor activities.