Chonburi records 1st Covid-19 case in van of illegal Cambodian laborers - Pattaya Mail

Chonburi records 1st Covid-19 case in van of illegal Cambodian laborers

Pattaya MailDecember 24, 2020

Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai said Chonburi has recorded its first coronavirus case since the Samut Sakhon seafood-market outbreak but stressed that Chonburi is still a safe travel destination, and that the province, which includes Pattaya, is not in lockdown.

Chonburi recorded its first coronavirus case since the Samut Sakhon seafood-market outbreak when police intercepted a van of illegal Cambodian migrant laborers, one of whom tested positive for Covid-19.

The 11 illegals were in a crowded minivan when they were stopped at a checkpoint in Panthong District. All the occupants were tested, with a 19-year-old woman testing positive for the coronavirus, Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai said in a Wednesday briefing.



Village health volunteers also identified two people who visited the Central Shrimp Market in Samut Sakhon where the outbreak originated. Health officials are now waiting for test results, the governor said.

Pakarathorn stressed that Chonburi is still a safe travel destination and that the province, which includes Pattaya, is not in lockdown. He advises potential tourists to follow good hygiene practices like using masks and hand sanitizer. While large public gatherings have been suspended, smaller events, such as weddings and religious gatherings can still take place as long as organizers notify local officials and limit crowd sizes.

Business owners who employ migrant laborers and recently traveled to Samut Sakhon should take employees to local clinics or hospitals for Covid-19 tests, Pakarathorn said. And anyone else who traveled to the district or fear they may have had contact with someone who did can get free tests at government clinics and hospitals.

The governor advised residents to monitor the situation on the Chonburi website and Facebook page, urging them not to fall victim to fake news or rumors.