Monday 10th: Foreign workers work hard, do not repeat the brand of ‘Covid, Samut Sakhon’

It is clear that “COVID-19” currently suffering an epidemic in Samut Sakhon province It arises from the trip to Thailand of “Myanmar workers without detention system” spread in the working community. And then to the Thais. But you must not forget Currently, foreign workers do not work only in Thailand.

Bangkok is the area with the highest number of foreign workers, so lessons learned should be used to avoid this. “Big Fire” he repeated.

Previously, around May 2020 after the first COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand has subsided. The National Committee for Communicable Diseases has ordered the Provincial Commission for Communicable Diseases. Nationwide operates a “Sentinet Watch” with random checks on vulnerable populations, including migrant workers. The target group of approximately 90,000 people “no infection was found in high-risk populations” plus the results of genetic decoding of infection in Samut Sakhon province, both in Thailand and Myanmar. It is the same infection as Tachilek Myanmar Province, Mae Sot District, Tak Province and Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, which originated in India “Not from Indonesian fishing boats” because the infection is different from outbreak in Indonesia.

The origin of the infection comes from Myanmar.

Just as the root cause of this outbreak must be “Newcomers of foreign workers”, which can happen from 2 cases: 1. Return and re-entry of legal workers. Legal work form, but it came in the form of 14 days without detention and 2. Illegal workers smuggling to work.

For a new outbreak in Thailand Who found that infected people spread to many provinces Most of which have a history linked to “Central Shrimp Market”, epicenter of the outbreak Until the COVID-19 situation management center (BEC ) have to divide the provincial management into 4 zones, which consist of the highest control area Control area Maximum surveillance area AND surveillance zone

Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Give an interview that Disease control areas It is a consideration that if there is an outbreak, there will be a point-to-point control. So as not to cause problems in people’s way of life. Now there should be surveillance for the next few days if the number of infected in a controlled area or in a poor area of ​​foreign workers in the shrimp market. Samut Sakhon province has decreased, the number of infections is complete and is being examined in other surrounding communities and nearby provinces.

“If there is no significant additional infection AND the infection may be related to the source Show that they can control the area. What is the general disease control principle? If everyone cooperates with each other, everything will settle down quickly. The duration of time constraints will depend on the safety assessment in accordance with disease control standards. Asking people to follow up on information from authorities In order to provide true and reliable information to the public without causing panic “Anutin said.

10 Mon Do not repeat.

However, due to Samut Sakhon and other provinces This time also continues “The theory of fire flames” is that there is a large fire which is a serious epidemic area in the province of Samut Sakhon. And sporadically scattered in several provinces If each province catches up on time Looking for the infected from still “No symptoms” and can control all contact of infected people. You can block the spread in that province. While putting out the great fire Then the situation will calm down.

But it is equally important to prevent this. The “great fire” overlaps or is repeated, especially in the 10 provinces with the most foreign workers, according to figures from the Ministry of Labor. As of November 2020, including 1. Bangkok 589,419 people 2. Samut Sakhon 239,752 people 3. Samut Prakan 161,745 people 4. Chalubree 158,578 people 5. Pathum Thani 134,389 people 6. Nonthaburi 99,804 people 7. Nakhon Pathom 93,532 people 8. Chiang Mai 89,357 Cases 9. Surat Thani 77,528 people and 10. Phuket 72,966 people

Proactive detection in the Myanmar work community

Dr. Kiattaphum Wongrajit, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health (Ministry of Public Health) He said he ordered all provinces to proactively assess Myanmar’s work community. If there is an infection, the Samutsakorn model can be used. Closing the OQ (Organization Quarantine) area, which is an adequate management of the situation. Close only risk areas Do not close the entire province And you must communicate to educate people not to cause panic. This is because the closure of the area can cause people to worry and leave the area. We wish you an essay of understanding on these matters. Including applicant establishments with a large number of Myanmar workers Perform a quick test

However, from “Covid Samut Sakhon”, the lessons Thailand has learned Must be led to the solution “Fill in gaps” from the source The border must step up measures to prevent smuggling from the city. The interior space must be intensively inspected for illegal work.

Operators do not violate

Above all “Entrepreneur” as well as hired to work as an accommodation owner. This is the person closest to foreign workers and knows the greatest amount of information. You must strictly follow the official words. That previously the Ministry of Public Health (Ministry of Public Health) requests that illegal foreign workers work. Cooperate to monitor and notify authorities if smuggled workers are found into the country. And if new legal workers are to be accepted The establishment must organize a quarantine facility (Organization Quarantine: OQ) that allows workers to rest 14 days before work.

And all Thais should “not lower their guard”, maintain strong personal protection measures. Always wear a mask when visiting a community location. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol gel. Distance from other people AND Scan Thai wins Because the information from

Does not detect

While Network of transnational population organizations and the Foundation for Human Rights and Development as organizations that work for the rights of migrant workers There are requests to the government for action, such as: 1. The government made it clear that the government does not have a screening policy. Cleaning up illegal workers and employers But it requires the cooperation of all workers in inspection. Detection and treatment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 AND the police Governments and labor workers immediately ended all criminal authorization and prosecution of illegal migrant workers and employers during the COVID-19 epidemic. public health

AND 2. Call on the government to take steps to recover migrant workers who do not have legal employment situations working in Thailand. With measures to allow temporary residence and work in Thailand Between measures to prevent the spread of COVID and until the border is opened, legal importation is possible.

There is no prejudice to prevent disease.

Dr. Phanphimon Wipulakorn, Director General of the Department of Mental Health When mentioning the prejudice that Thais have started to have towards migrant workers that What we fear, he is afraid, so both parties must return to the principles of understanding. And helping to control and prevent disease seems to be joint security Rather than pressure Makes you feel alienated Until you didn’t want to cooperate in disease prevention. This will produce the opposite result as desired.

“Today we are afraid of diseases. But do not fear people, no matter who they are. If we have measures to take care of ourselves. With cloth mask Spaced mask and wash hands. The more you do not enter the vulnerable area, it is safe. All people of all races have the same individual preventive measures. “ Dr. Phanphimon said.

Believe that all Thais do not want to happen The “new COVID-19 fires” overlap or reappear in other provinces.