Nip Covid fiasco in bud - Bangkok Post

 Nip Covid fiasco in bud

With Covid-19 infection cases rising in Chiang Rai, tourism-related businesses in the northern province are starting to feel the coronavirus pinch.

A hotelier complained of tours being cancelled over fears that Chiang Rai, a northern province bordering Myanmar, where coronavirus infections are being widely reported, would become a Covid-19 hotspot.

There were 26 reported infection cases in Chiang Rai as of yesterday. Of the total, six were people who were smuggled in while the rest were found in local quarantine sites. Thailand has 38 cases directly and indirectly linked to people returning from Tachileik since the first case was detected on Nov 24.

Businesses hoping for a high season upturn after struggling from prolonged lockdown restrictions are seeing their hopes being dashed due to a second wave that should have been avoided, had all concerned elements not let their guard down. Despite the emergency decree, some state officials have failed to maintain anti-virus measures, by being lax in terms of border crossings and enforcing health guidelines like temperature checking and mask wearing.

Fears over Covid-19 began in Chiang Mai last month after an infected woman working in the Myanmar town of Tachilek bypassed border checkpoints to sneak into the country near Mae Sai, together with a few friends. She recklessly travelled to Chiang Mai after developing Covid symptoms and testing positive. It will take another week to know if the woman is a superspreader.

But it's now clear that Mae Sai district opposite Tachileik is now on the virus frontline. Local authorities have expected more Thais to flee Tachileik in fear of catching the virus. Several who have done so have lied to authorities which makes it harder to control the disease.

As a result, all state agencies must be prepared for a rise in cases.

It was reported that a second hospital has been prepared to receive Covid-19 patients while the military said it has deployed drones to monitor border movement. However, these measures are probably not enough.

On the ground, it's necessary that the authorities tighten border controls. Prospective returnees should be told to go through official checkpoints and cooperate with the authorities by entering local quarantine sites. The government must ensure that Thais in the Myanmar town know that anyone failing to comply risk stiff penalties. Businesses potentially affected by this border debacle should consider file complaints against the reckless returnees who intentionally avoided health protocols.

At the same time, the government should also take action against officials who turn a blind eye to illegal border crossings.

In an apparent bid to ease public anxiety over a second coronavirus wave, Provincial public health chief, Thossathep Boonthong yesterday tried to assure people that health authorities would be able to handle matters as the strains in the northern area appeared "not to be serious".

Such a claim gives an impression the health chief in being optimistic to protect the province's image, rather than facing up to the facts. The doctor also said that a lockdown is still unnecessary.

Of course, a lockdown should be enforced as a last resort to avoid further damage to the local economy.

In the meantime, local authorities must be on full alert, exercise precautions and plug the gaps, especially in the border areas.