SMALL Myanmar trucks continued to cross over to Thailand via the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Mae Sot border town despite three drivers having recently tested positive for coronavirus with this triggering a protest yesterday to completely shut the border, Siam Rath reported today (October 12, 2020).
These Myanmar trucks all stopped at the loading area in front of the checkpoint waiting for Thais to drive up and load and unload goods.
However, hundreds of Thai trucks were parked on the outbound side of this checkpoint as they waited for clarification from Myanmar authorities on where and when they could cross over to deliver goods.
Six infectious disease examination vehicles were sent to randomly test people for this deadly disease in the vulnerable communities of Myanmar people around the Mae Sot market and approximately 4,000 of them have undergone this test.
In addition, 11 Mae Sot municipality schools and five others were shut for a special holiday, today and tomorrow.
Mr. Therdkiat Chinsoranan, mayor of Mae Sot city, also warned residents that they are living in a risky area and should not leave their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Meanwhile a joint military and police patrol caught four Myanmar citizens illegally crossing the Moei river into Thailand at a community forest. They did not have passports nor any other identification documents on them and have been detained to undergo Covid-19 test and legal action.
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Top: People waiting to be tested for Covid-19 in Mae Sot. Photo: Siam Rath
