Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported that on January 9, 2021, screening measures will start among workers in establishments in the most controlled areas. The measures follow the Social Security Office’s Medical Board’s approval for proactive Covid-19 screening guidelines for both Thai and foreign workers in the workplace, to screen insured persons at risk in establishments, to ensure treatment as specified by the Ministry of Public Health.
On January 9, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported the new wave of Covid-19 outbreaks. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Ministry of Labour, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, cares about the workforce and all groups of people and have continuously ordered and implemented measures of the CCSA. Therefore, the Labour Minister was assigned to proactively work with relevant sectors in the area, prevent and control the spread of the disease to be limited in areas, to avoid widespread infections, which will affect the national economy both directly and indirectly, including the well-being of the people nationwide. Following the Social Security Act, the Medical Board has announced the regulations and medical service rates in Covid-19 infection screening to provide insured persons with proactive medical services. The measures will allow screening of insured persons at risk in the workplace, helping companies to continue their business without stopping production. The costs of the screening are covered by the Ministry of Labour’s Social Security Office. The initiative will be launched in the provinces that are the most controlled areas according to the severity levels ordered by the Center for the Covid-19 Situation Administration.
Mr. Suchart continued that today (January 9, 2021) is the first day of the proactive screening, working with relevant departments to provide PCR screening for employees who fall under the risk of exposure to Covid-19, for employees in workplaces located in the highest controlled areas. The measures are at the discretion of the Communicable Disease Committee in each province, the highest control areas, and the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee. Results of the screening are provided within 6-8 hours. If the infection is detected, the worker will go through the quarantine process determined by the Ministry of Public Health.
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Division of Public Relations
9 January 2021
