FEAR spread among Parliament officials and employees after a part-time worker was found to have been infected with coronavirus today (June 17) despite tight screening, Siam Rath newspaper said.
Those entering the Parliament have to fill out details in an application stating their coronavirus status and that they have at least received one Covid jab.
However this afternoon, a part-time employee who is a retired official and comes in to work only on days there is a Parliament meeting and is stationed at the second floor of the Parliament House, was found to be infected with coronavirus and has been sent for treatment. His duty is to verify Cabinet ministers before they join a Parliament meeting.
Mr. Arun Laiphongphaew, director of the House of Representatives’ Bureau of Security, confirmed this case and said a report is being sent to Ms. Pornphit Petcharoen, Parliament’s secretary-general.
“This shouldn’t have happened but a report is being sent to the Parliament’s secretary-general,” he said.
News of the temporary employee having caught Covid despite herd immunity being put in place in the Parliament sparked fear among officials and employees especially so because those working in front of the meeting chamber would walk past various areas of the complex and touch doors, door knobs and other objects.
Meanwhile Parliament President’s secretary Mr. Somboon Uthaiwienkul too admitted that a Parliament employee has been infected with coronavirus and that his timeline of activities is being checked.
CAPTION:
The Thai Parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Siam Rath
