Schools reopen across Thailand with temperature checks, masks

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

Students from the Wichuthit school eat their lunch after the Thai government eased isolation measures and introduced social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as schools nationwide reopened in Bangkok, Thailand, July 1, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

SAM KHOK, Thailand (Reuters) - Thai schools reopened on Wednesday for the first time since mid-March, with precautions in place to guard against the coronavirus, ranging from temperature checks to installing makeshift cubicles for social distancing in classrooms.

 

At Sam Khok school, about 50 km (31 miles) north of Bangkok, nearly 5,000 students were told to self-quarantine at home for 15-days prior to the re-start as an extra precaution, Principal Chuchart Thiengtham said.

 

"Once students arrive at school, teachers hand face masks to them because it's mandatory to wear them," said Chuchart, adding that face shields were also provided to pupils for additional safety during some activities.

 

Students also get their temperatures checked and a facial recognition scanner automatically sends a message to parents, he said. 

 

In the classroom, the school has turned cardboard ballot boxes used in elections into partitions to ensure social distancing between desks. "I feel good studying behind the box because it makes me feel safer returning to school," said student Kanlaya Srimongkhol.

 

However, 17-year-old Soponwich Thianthong said while he felt more secure the partitions could be irritating because it limited his field of vision.

 

The coronavirus has killed 58 people in Thailand out of 3,173 infections, though the country has not recorded a case of local transmission for 37 days. Thailand this week extended an emergency decree until the end of July in a bid to avoid the risk of a second wave, even as it relaxed more restrictions by also opening bars and allowing some foreigners into the country. 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-01

 

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What about the trip home from school ?


 

1 minute ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

What about the trip home from school ?


 

I see what you did there,

an old photo from before the virus, to make out everyone would be crammed into a bus without distancing or masks.

5 minutes ago, DirtyHarry55 said:

What about the trip home from school ?


 

Plenty of fresh air and sunshine to take care of that nasty Wuhan China virus. 

Just now, DirtyHarry55 said:

What about the trip home from school ?


 

You're right....its a mess of a situation. The way things are going IF there is still any community spread here......its going to go up! Lets hope they are correct and that the only cases are coming from abroad.....,mmmmmmm.......I'd like to believe that 

9 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

I see what you did there,

an old photo from before the virus, to make out everyone would be crammed into a bus without distancing or masks.

Just asking a question what about the trip home are social distancing rules also in effect if so they will need at least 4x as many buses?

it will be interesting to see the results of how many students are found to have a fever and sent home..

 

the 7-11 temp takers are now just waving the gun in the general vicinity of peoples' heads and saying ok....

Just wondering, if there hasn't been any domestic infections for 38 days, what is the problem?

 

Why not just focus fully on isolating the ones coming from abroad and let the rest of the country return to normal?

I don't seem to remember photos government officials abiding by these extreme safety measures in meetings or dinners together.....Restaurants who tried this were raked over the coals and said forget it with in days....

 

But since children have little power I bet this goes on for a looooong time in schools...   

24 minutes ago, HOAX said:

Just wondering, if there hasn't been any domestic infections for 38 days, what is the problem?

 

Why not just focus fully on isolating the ones coming from abroad and let the rest of the country return to normal?

There hasn't been any "reported" domestic cases. The only way a case get reported is if the person fronts at a hospital, an asymtomatic or mild symptom carrier isnt fronting at hospital, so not being counted.

I guess we'll see the results in a couple of weeks. Actually .. no, we won't be seeing anything. MoPH will.

Asymptomatic transmission is statistically zero (WHO), 37 days since last domestic case, 14 day quarantine for incoming citizens, ban on all tourists.  Oh, and for people under 18, a statically ZERO mortality rate from the virus worldwide,  (yes, there have been a few that had pre-existing conditions).  

 

<deleted> is the use of all this other than to further brainwash the kids into a  "new normal."