Bangkok Airport Immigration Officers Test Positive For Covid-19, Travel Restrictions Imposed

With the Covid-19 outbreak getting more and more serious each day, it’s no surprise that most nations have imposed travel bans. The Malaysian government just imposed a complete travel ban on all Italians, Iranians, South Koreans and other foreigners arriving from the country from entering Malaysia or transit at any point of entry effective March 13. Due to all this confusion, an airport is potentially one of the most dangerous places to be during this outbreak.

Two immigration officers from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport have been diagnosed with coronavirus and have handled the passports of visitors to Thailand. Channel News Asia reported that the men fell ill on March 7th and 8th respectively and were in contact with the passengers before their diagnosis. Thailand currently has 59 confirmed cases.

One of the officers was among a team that led the health screenings of Thai citizens returning from South Korea. South Korea has second most Covid-19 infections in Asia after China currently. Sopon Iamsirithaworn of the Disease Control Department said that there might have been a chance that the officers may have come in contact with infected foreigners or touched contaminated passports.

Thailand’s Interior Minister said today that visa-free arrivals from South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy, as well as visa-arrival from 18 countries, have been suspended. To curb any infection that the officers may have caused, any affected visitors must apply for visas at Thai embassies in their own countries and also present a medical certificate.

Airport officials are at extreme risk as they face countless people every single day. Anyone planning to travel to  Thailand now might just have to put their plans to a halt!

Also read: Songkran Festivals Across Thailand Are Being Cancelled This Year Due To Coronavirus Fears