Phuket: The island province logged 69 new Covid-19 infections and one death, with a local market ordered closed for seven days after migrant workers were infected.
On Wednesday, the provincial public health office reported 69 new infections detected during proactive mass testing. Of them, four were foreign tourists who visited under the Phuket tourism sandbox scheme.
As a result, several areas at risk of transmissions were ordered closed temporarily as officials moved to disinfect the areas. The Phuket municipality also ordered the closure of the Talad Ban San market in Muang district until Wednesday after migrant workers were diagnosed as infected with Covid-19.
The municipality has ordered the closure of Talad Kaset market twice previously, for 14 days and then seven days after infections were detected. Residents have also been urged to abide by the Covid-19 DMHTTA rules (distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature testing, Covid testing and mobile app use).
Also, the tambon Thep Krasattri administration organisation in Thalang district has ordered the temporary closure of its office disinfection after its staff tested positive for the virus. The office will reopen on Monday.
A total of 14,055 foreigners arrived in Phuket during the first month of the sandbox scheme in July, but the tally may not exceed 15,000 in August due to the nationwide coronavirus surge, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri has quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying the government will press on with the Phuket Sandbox model to welcome foreign travellers, as Phuket has stepped up measures to control the spread of Covid-19, such as curbs on labourers. More businesses and activities also will be closed until Aug 16.