Movements of workers at construction sites and worker dormitories are being restricted in Bangkok as the locations are feared to be the city's latest infection hotspots.
The restrictions are being put in place as Covid-19 infections in Bangkok continue to rise with 34 clusters popping up across 50 districts. Assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Apisamai Srirangson said five new clusters were recently detected in Bangkok, bringing the total number to 34.
They are in Bang Kapi market, a construction worker camp in Bang Kholaem district, an ice factory in Chatuchak district, a construction worker camp in Don Muang district and a warehouse in Bang Sue district.
The CCSA was particularly concerned about infections at construction worker camps in Bangkok. Some 20 camps are scattered in Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Lat Phrao and Huai Khwang districts, she said.
One camp alone has 1,374 workers, many of whom live in on-site dormitories.
Random Covid-19 testing will be conducted. More stringent measures will be imposed and movement of workers will be prohibited to prevent transmission to other camps.
Camps with infected workers are required to adopt the "bubble and seal" measure where workers are not allowed to leave their dormitories and construction sites.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the government had prepared hospitals and field hospitals to treat infected workers at construction sites in Lak Si and Watthana districts. The infected comprise mainly migrant workers, Ms Rachada said.
Those with mild symptoms will be sent to field hospitals in Samut Sakhon, to the national stadium as well as Thanyarak Hospital. Some infected workers will be sent to the newly-opened Busarakham field hospital in Nonthaburi.
The CCSA on Wednesday reported 3,394 new cases, including 1,498 cases from prisons, and 29 deaths. Some 4,450 recovered.
Among the 29 deaths, four died on the same day they tested positive. They developed severe symptoms but did not know they carried the virus.
Thirteen others died within the first week of testing positive. Thailand logged a total of 116,949 cases. The death toll stood at 678.