BANGKOK, Jan 22 (TNA) — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stepped up its measures and action to cope with the mysterious novel coronavirus from China and smog in the country.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that as the new coronavirus could be transmitted between humans, TAT was coordinating disease control efforts with the Public Health Ministry, tourist police and immigration police.
The measures included the screening of visitors from China who were arriving for the Chinese New Year festival in Thailand, he said. The TAT governor expected about 300,000 visitors from China during the festival.
The World Health Organization has identified a wholesale seafood market in the central city of Wuhan in Hebei province as a possible source of the virus.
If a patient was detected, officials from all concerned organizations would bring the patient to disease control procedures right away, Mr Yuthasak said.
“I am confident that the joint measures from all organizations can prevent the coronavirus from spreading in Thailand,” he said.
Regarding the air pollution, Mr Yuthasak admitted it affected tourism and his organization was advising tourists to wear face masks to protect themselves. He said that the smog situation should be relieved over time. (TNA)
