Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported that the Prime Minister is concerned about workers in establishments in the dark red areas such as Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, Rayong, Samut Sakhon, and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The Ministry of Labour is working with hospitals in the social security network to organize mobile testing services for employees at risk of exposure to provide Covid-19 screening at establishments.
On May 7, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported that Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha is concerned about the workforce amid the Covid-19 outbreak due to the widespread of the pandemic and the increasing infection rate. Therefore, the Ministry of Labour, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, was instructed to expand proactive Covid-19 testing facilities to establishments to accelerate control over the outbreak in dark red areas, such as Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, Rayong, Samut Sakhon, and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Mr. Suchart said that he had instructed the provincial Social Security Offices in the dark red areas, to work with hospitals in the social security network in the area, to arrange for mobile testing services to be set up in establishments where employees are at risk of exposure, to provide proactive Covid-19 screening. Results are known within 24 – 48 hours. If the virus is detected, patients will have to undergo the treatment process specified by the Ministry of Public Health. The employees in the establishments do not have to pay for the screening.
“I have instructed every government agency under the Ministry of Labour in every area, especially the dark red areas, to clarify understanding among employers to provide employees with ways to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks and to cooperate with the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee and all relevant sectors. The efforts aim to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19 among Thai and foreign workers in the workplace, including announcements prohibiting the movement of foreign workers in all cases and arranging measures to monitor and screen for diseases, such as raising awareness about wearing masks and washing hands with alcohol gel,” concluded Mr. Suchart.
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Division of Public Relations
7 May 2021
