Virus screening intensifies along Cambodian border

By THE NATION

 

Pol Maj General Archayon Kraithong (File Photo)

 

Screening for the Covid-19 virus is being ramped along the eastern border to prevent anyone infected arriving from Cambodia.

 

Thailand is far more wary of its neighbour since two passengers of the Westerdam cruise ship that was finally allowed to dock at Sihanoukville last week turned out to be infected.

 

Both were American tourists. Thailand had refused the ship entry to its ports.

 

Pol Maj General Archayon Kraithong, commander of Immigration Police Division 3, said on Thursday (February 20) that his force had increased the intensity of screening measures at all border checkpoints where foreigners arrive from countries and territories dealing with the virus.

 

“All of the checkpoints on the Cambodian border will have both Immigration police and Public Health Ministry officials monitor the screening at all times,” he said.

 

“Anyone displaying symptoms associated with Covid-19 will be immediately isolated and thoroughly tested.

 

“We have also asked the Cambodian government for the names of all Westerdam passengers as well as their most recent test results,” he added.

 

Archayon said no one entering from Cambodia has tested positive for the virus thus far and expressed confidence that the screening is strict enough to prevent anyone infected from slipping through.

 

He was asked about the safety of screening staff.

 

“We prioritise their safety with rotating shifts and ample time to rest in between,” he said. “At the end of a shift they go through thermal scanner and are thoroughly examined for any abnormality to make sure that they are healthy enough for continue.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30382492

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-02-20

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How about Myanmar & Laos ?

Trapped on the EVA air flight on the tarmac at heathrow yesterday 5 indians 3 sitting in the window row and 2 sat directly behind me started coughing and sputtering before we took off.

air crew did some temp checks and must have called ahead as we then got diverted to a stand removed them from the back door and the rest of the planes passengers were forced to fill out  "health assurance and public passenger location form" including next of kin that took 90 mins and people were getting very irate as connections trains and transport home had been missed a very unpleasant experience the only good thing was IMO that was empty like swampy you could hear an echo.

 

If you can possibly do it don't travel I couldn't as my dad died during my journey ????         

Screening being taking temperature and looking for people who are coughing. Already proven ineffective.

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/19/health/coronavirus-airport-temperature-checks/index.html

They check the temperature from everybody arriving from Cambodia on a flight.

That is a lot better than nothing. And I think realistically they can't do much more. Quarantine for everybody is just not an option. 

 

41 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

That is a lot better than nothing.

 

Why? Not a troll post - a serious question. Why? the first 14 days or being transmissible is essentially asymptomatic. Many people think that screening is a waste of time, because by the time it's detectable the infection has already spread far and wide.

17 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

Why? Not a troll post - a serious question. Why? the first 14 days or being transmissible is essentially asymptomatic. Many people think that screening is a waste of time, because by the time it's detectable the infection has already spread far and wide.

And what do you think is better? If "only" the people who have the virus and have no fever are allowed into the country or also the people who have the virus and have fever?

I think it's pretty obvious which is the worst option.

Local "SARS-CoV-2" propagation intensify. 

Edited February 22, 20206 yr by Tayaout

47 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

 

Why? Not a troll post - a serious question. Why? the first 14 days or being transmissible is essentially asymptomatic. Many people think that screening is a waste of time, because by the time it's detectable the infection has already spread far and wide.

While not foolproof it might catch those who have a fever. Prevention is done on several layers and temperature screening is only one of them. 

On 2/20/2020 at 2:55 PM, webfact said:

“All of the checkpoints on the Cambodian border will have both Immigration police and Public Health Ministry officials monitor the screening at all times,” he said.

Many Cambodians and many Thais in delicacy with the authorities of course cross the border without passing through the Check-Points.
Are there patrols of soldiers from the two countries verifying the very porous border between these two countries?

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And what do you think is better? If "only" the people who have the virus and have no fever are allowed into the country or also the people who have the virus and have fever?

I think it's pretty obvious which is the worst option.

This might put the wind up some.

 

A 70-year-old man in China's Hubei Province was infected with coronavirus but did not show symptoms until 27 days later, the local government said on Saturday, meaning the virus' incubation period could be much longer than the presumed 14 days.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-22/27-day-incubation-period-coronavirus-china-covid-19/11991604

2 obvious measures needed, both hard to do. Here's your competence test, Thai Government!

 

(1) Closing the border 'completely' to everyone, as Cambodia moves to become a centre for spreading the disease. Not to mention probably Laos too.

 

(2) The small daily increases of 'confirmed' infection - 2 or 3 a day - suggest that increasing the Thai capacity for testing & confirming could do with a major boost. (No! No! We only find 2 each day. Only 2 out there!)

How is Cambodia more dangerous than Thailand for the disease?

 

Thailand is a transit hub, has loads of Chinese visiting and has no restrictions on Chinese visitors, same as Cambodia.

 

Or am I missing something?

The smart move would be seal the border....but it's a he11 of a long border!  Plus shut down airport arrivals and in-transit passengers. 

Koh Kong's Hat Lek border has been taking 150 baht  for fake health checks since the SARS epidemic. They must be happy. Now they can increase their price.