By Teddy Cambosa

The Ministry of Public Health announced in a press conference that 516 migrant workers from the Sumat Sakhon province in Thailand were tested positive for COVID-19.

Image/onestopmap via pixabay

The testing, done on December 19, was subjected to 1,192 migrant workers in the province, and those that came positive had either little to no symptoms at all.

Regardless, the Ministry had imposed virus restriction protocols, as establishments were ordered by the local authorities to temporarily close. These include sports stadiums, boxing stadiums, boxing schools, children’s playgrounds, educational institutions, and child care centers. Food and beverage shops are allowed only take-away service, except restaurants in hospitals and hotels.

Furthermore, the Ministry has also imposed a travel ban in and out of the Sumat Sakhon province, and residents of the said province are asked to refrain from going out of their residences, starting at 10 in the evening to 5 in the morning the next day.

The outbreak comes in direct proximity to Thailand’s local elections, held last December 20. Health authorities are advising citizens that while elections are rolled out, basic health protocols must be observed, including hygienic practices and wearing of masks.

To date, Thailand has 5,716 total number of infections, and 60 total number of deaths.

Teddy Cambosa is a graduating BS Biology student and a former campus journalist at Batangas State University. He is also currently writing for MARKETECH APAC, a small APAC-focused marketing news site.