Thailand imposes lockdown on Phuket island over COVID-19 fears
The administration of Phuket, an island province of Thailand, has banned people and vehicles from leaving and entering the popular tourist destination to contain the spread of COVID-19.
A health worker examines a person's body temperature at a checkpoint in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 26 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – The administration of Phuket, anisland province of Thailand, has banned people and vehicles from leaving andentering the popular tourist destination to contain the spread of COVID-19.
With the approval of the provincial communicablediseases committee, Phuket Governor Pakkapong Taweepat ordered the closure ofall entry and exit points in the province, except for air travel, from midnighton March 30 until April 30 or further notice.
Under the order, people and all kinds ofvehicles are banned from entering and leaving the province via the Tha ChatChai checkpoint, except those transporting food and essential items, fuel,construction materials, medical equipment, rescue operations vehicles,ambulances, vehicles for state operations, and vehicles carrying publications.
The ban is also imposed on people and all kindsof ships from entering and leaving the province through its internationalports, except cargo ships, and through inter-provincial waterways.
Those who are exempted must have medicalcertificates issued in the past three days, and must comply strictly withdisease control measures.
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A health worker examines a person's body temperature at a checkpoint in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 26 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
