WITH there being 216 new coronavirus cases nationwide over the 24 hours to this morning (Jan. 2) the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) quickly moved to set up 14 checkpoints to screen travellers as there is a tendency for cases to rise rapidly in the metropolis , Sanook.com reported.
Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said of the 216 new infections, 182 were domestic while 32 cases emerged among migrant workers.
Two foreigners arriving from overseas have been placed in state quarantine, one from the US and the other India.
This takes the total number of cases to 7,379, with 4,299 discharged from hospital while 3,016 are still undergoing treatment. There was one additional death taking the toll to 64.
Meanwhile Mrs. Silpasuay Raweesangsoon, BMA’s permanent secretary, this morning issued an urgent letter to all district chiefs to set up checkpoints to screen travellers entering the city to control the spread of Covid-19.
The checkpoints are being jointly set up by the BMA’s district office, Metropolitan Police headquarters, Internal Security Operations Command Bangkok and other related agencies as well as rescuers and rescue volunteers.
The 14 checkpoints are at the following spots:
– In front of the Big C department store, inbound Chaengwattana road;
– Warehouse area, Gate 7, inbound Vibhavadi Rangsit road;
– Tollway, Don Mueang toll point;
– Intersection beneath Maha Nakhon expressway, inbound Suwinthawong road;
– In front of Esso pump close to Bearing BTS station, Sukhumvit road;
– In front of The Nation building, inbound Bangna-Trad road;
– Burapha Withi expressway, inbound Bang Chak Toll Plaza;
– In front of Toyota Centre, Ratchaphruek road;
– Bridge across Phutthamonthon Sai 3 and Borommaratchonnani intersection;
– Beneath Bhumibol Bridge, Suksawat road;
– In front of the PTT pump, Rama 2 Branch, Soi 92, Rama 2 road;
– In front of the Bangkok Local Museum Liab Klong Phitthayalongkon road;
– In front of Southeast Asia University inbound Petchkasem road;
– In front of Suksanari Wittaya School, Ekachai road.
CAPTION:
Top: One of the coronavirus checkpoints set up in Bangkok in the second quarter last year. Thai headline says, “Covid checkpoint makes a comeback.” Photo: Sanook.com
