Free Covid-19 tests for people who have visited crowded locations

By The Nation

 

Sukhum Kanchanapimai

 

The Public Health Ministry has decided to provide free Covid-19 tests for people who have been in crowded locations, permanent secretary Sukhum Kanchanapimai said today (March 17), but certain categories of people will not be covered under this free service.

 

Those who visited crowded spots including boxing stadiums and entertainment venues and have developed a cough, fever, nasal mucus and a sore throat are advised to wear face masks and immediately go for a coronavirus check at any public hospital.

 

If the test is positive, they will receive treatment free of charge.

 

However, the ministry said it will not provide free coronavirus tests for people who travel back from high-risk countries, those who interact with foreign tourists, people who have infected lungs without a cause, people whose family members travel to high-risk nations, those with respiratory diseases and medical personnel.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384246

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-17

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15 minutes ago, webfact said:

If the test is positive, they will receive treatment free of charge.

 

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, the ministry said it will not provide free coronavirus tests for people who travel back from high-risk countries, those who interact with foreign tourists, people who have infected lungs without a cause, people whose family members travel to high-risk nations, those with respiratory diseases and medical personnel.

yes we will skip the people who really need to be tested.

 

 

Just how stupid can they get??

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

not provide free coronavirus tests for people who . . . interact with foreign tourists,

The target on our back just got a little bit bigger. So, this means your wife and your family, if you're married, too? Suppose so.

7 minutes ago, vicbkk said:

Just how stupid can they get??

Wait for it... ????

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/covid-19-entertainment-sports-venues-to-be-closed-for-14-days/

 

All entertainment places and sports venues in and around Bangkok, including pubs, massage parlours and nightclubs, will be closed for two weeks as part of the government’s attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this afternoon.

7 minutes ago, vicbkk said:

Just how stupid can they get??

Well, if Sukhum is anything to go by - it would be difficult to find any government minister with an ounce of  common sense. 

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

those who interact with foreign tourists

typical

4 minutes ago, zydeco said:

The target on our back just got a little bit bigger. So, this means your wife and your family, if you're married, too? Suppose so.

I would hope not as I hav'nt stepped foot outside this country for a few years, but it honestly would'nt surprise me

28 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

yes we will skip the people who really need to be tested.

and  keep  our  total  low so everyone will want to come here for a holiday

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/covid-19-entertainment-sports-venues-to-be-closed-for-14-days/

 

All entertainment places and sports venues in and around Bangkok, including pubs, massage parlours and nightclubs, will be closed for two weeks as part of the government’s attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this afternoon.

...and what about the rest of Thailand? Open doors? No restrictive travel? For Buddha's sake, man, are you that dumb?

 

For posters: it was a rhetoric question.

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

and medical personnel.

nice of them to do  that ,sure  Thai health carers  will appreciate it

1 minute ago, CraigInBangkok said:

I would hope not as I hav'nt stepped foot outside this country for a few years, but it honestly would'nt surprise me

Neither have I. Not in 8 years. But conceivably this means my housecleaner and her husband, who does yard work for me, could be denied testing AND treatement, because they interact with me. 

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

If the test is positive, they will receive treatment free of charge.

I think this is pretty disturbing ... come and have a test ...if you dare!!!!

It would appear his criteria of people who should get tested is somewhat backwards.

 

Testing does not suit the Government narrative...or at least the results don't.

 

4 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Neither have I. Not in 8 years. But conceivably this means my housecleaner and her husband, who does yard work for me, could be denied testing AND treatement, because they interact with me. 

They did explicitly say tourists ...we are not tourists so lets just hope there is some common sense????

4 minutes ago, Chazar said:

nice of them to do  that ,sure  Thai health carers  will appreciate it

Beyond stupid. It's destructive and will actually lead to more infections.

1 minute ago, CraigInBangkok said:

They did explicitly say tourists ...we are not tourists so lets just hope there is some common sense????

Unless you have PR, you're a tourist. We all are. All we have are extensions on our original visas.

Just now, zydeco said:

Unless you have PR, you're a tourist. We all are. All we have are extensions on our original visas.

my original visa was a non-B ...not tourist

2 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Unless you have PR, you're a tourist. We all are. All we have are extensions on our original visas.

I have a work permit thus not a tourist. ????

I now have a marriage visa but I think there point seems to be don't interact with actual tourists, which considering they are still trying to attract tourists is pretty dumb and unfair on anyone who works in the tourist industry.

36 minutes ago, vicbkk said:

Just how stupid can they get??

More or less racist

This is getting worrying for us farangs in Thailand. Anyone who interacts with Farangs (trust me, Thais do not distinguish between tourists and expats) are not given free tests. So the message to Thai people is: You better stay away from those dirty, filthy, farangs who dress in rags and never shower and who are responsible for spreading the virus. I can hear the cry from the health minister growing in strenght: - They should all be kicked out

Geeez - what a country...

I guess that would apply to those joining the hordes at immigration offices, Chiang Mai for instance?

11 minutes ago, Thailand said:

I guess that would apply to those joining the hordes at immigration offices, Chiang Mai for instance?

Good point! No free tests or treatment for Immigration either. That ought to make them real happy to see us at extension renewal time.

14 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Good point! No free tests or treatment for Immigration either. That ought to make them real happy to see us at extension renewal time.

 

Although a coughing fit at immigration mat get you seen quicker...or taken away...

A new stupid low, ignore Corona Virus for people in those groups

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

those with respiratory diseases and medical personnel.

The very people who are at greatest risk and medics in the front line cant get a free test ............what kind of pot do these ministers smoke before agreeing these policies??

 

Absolute lunacy testing should be free to all Thai Id card holders under the 30 baht scheme.

 

As for Bangkok Hospital chains poster ad, offering tests screening for 25k is just blatant price gouging and they should be forced to charge a reasonable price..its a @@@#%%%%% disgrace!

 

Perhaps they should offer their own branded covid 19 amenity bag containing face masks and hand sanitizer with BKK hospital logo at a special virus promotion discount 2999 baht.

s

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, the ministry said it will not provide free coronavirus tests for people who travel back from high-risk countries, those who interact with foreign tourists, people who have infected lungs without a cause, people whose family members travel to high-risk nations, those with respiratory diseases and medical personnel.

No free treatment for medical personnel.

 

With a government attitude like that if I was working in the hospital right now I'd quit

3 hours ago, webfact said:

If the test is positive, they will receive treatment free of charge.

And presumably, if the test is negative, all treatment must be paid for...?