Rayong businesses hit hard by Egyptian Covid scare

[webfact]

Rayong businesses hit hard by Egyptian Covid scare

By The Nation

 

Shop owners close their shops in the Passione mall, formerly known as Laem Thong, for two days of cleaning after an Egyptian soldier visited the mall and was later confirmed infected with Covid-19.

 

Hotels and other businesses in Rayong province have suffered a further blow from news that a Covid-infected Egyptian soldier paid a short visit to the eastern coastal province.

 

Pradchaya Samalapa, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s committee on the Eastern region’s development, said the incident had taken a toll on local businesses.

 

 

“Hotels and resorts have been hard hit as travellers cancelled their bookings after the news broke,” he said  on Tuesday (July 14).

 

The government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) admitted on Monday that it had made errors in managing the entry of some groups of foreigners. The infected soldier was among a 31-strong delegation of Egyptian military personnel who landed at Rayong’s U-Tapao Airport last Wednesday and stayed in a local hotel and visited a local shopping mall. They were not subject to state quarantine, unlike Thais who return to the country. The group left Thailand on Saturday (July 11), but a test result the next day confirmed the soldier had Covid-19.

 

The incident sparked fear in the province of a second wave of virus infections.

 

Pradchaya said tourists had cancelled bookings in the province for the long holiday at the end of July.

 

Other businesses preparing to reopen after months of lockdown are also suffering, with workers now refusing to return to the province over fears of a second wave of contagion, he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30391307

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-07-15

 

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[Thaiwrath]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) admitted on Monday that it had made errors in managing the entry of some groups of foreigners.

Not too sure anyone will be held responsible for such an atrocious decision ?

As it is Thailand, it will probably be a "carry on with your job, and don't do it again" attitude. 

[Matzzon]

There is an easy solution to that problem. Just let every shop owner estimate the economical damages and send the bill to the Egyptian Embassy.

[Greg O]

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

[Chassa]

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

There is an easy solution to that problem. Just let every shop owner estimate the economical damages and send the bill to the Egyptian Embassy.

Nothing to do with Egypt - the Thais let them into the country!

[Matzzon]

19 minutes ago, Chassa said:

Nothing to do with Egypt - the Thais let them into the country!

You probably also say "It´s not my fault that I got HIV"

[richard_smith237]

I ‘did’ have a fairly strong opinion that state quarantine wasn’t necessary.

I figured that ‘most’ people would be able to effectively isolate at their homes and those who couldn’t, i.e. those who lived with people who had to travel to work or were key workers etc could then opt to quarantine in a state facility. 

 

I was obviously wrong. People just cannot be trusted to do the right thing. 

I isolated myself in the UK upon arrival in April, which meant renting a small cottage for two weeks. I went to the supermarket twice, masking up and wearing gloves to protect others.

 

IF people were reasonable quarantine would not be necessary, clearly people are not. 

 

This also shows how easily a wave of xenophobia can sweep the nation. Thai’s are blaming Egypt, when Thai’s themselves have broken quarantine up on return. 

 

When the target of outrage is a foreigner the extent of the outrage seems more evident. 

 

It’s clear the Thai Government are responsible for not expressing the seriousness of the lockdown and isolation to these men. But also for letting them in under different conditions forced upon everyone else. 

 

Then of course there is the Egyptian himself who has now caused an international incident - he’s in enough hot water at home now !!!

 

[lks7689]

1 hour ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

Don't know where you get the idea that the sars cov2 can only survive a few hours on surface? Last I checked it can last a few days at least.  

[NightSky]

46 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

You probably also say "It´s not my fault that I got HIV"

Virus affect anyone, even YOU silly billy!

 

And don't give me the 'wear protection BS' otherwise there would never be any new people born into the world.

 

You really sound like an atrocious individual.

 

[zhounan]

By now, fear has been triggered in people's minds. It will be difficult to get out of this situation, the psychological legacies of this campaign of media and scientific terrorism will be felt for many years to come.

[Sharp]

Remind me again of the mortality rate ?? and it's amongst largely chronically ill with pre-existing conditions

[kingofthemountain]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

I was obviously wrong. People just cannot be trusted to do the right thing. 

I isolated myself in the UK upon arrival in April, which meant renting a small cottage for two weeks. I went to the supermarket twice, masking up and wearing gloves to protect others.

Thank you for confirm your own statement

the self quarantine doesn't work

I am sure you don't even realise your 2 shopping round, even

with mask and gloves, were a big risk for all the other people in these places.

 

The only way is a controled confined place with armed guards at the entry.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

It’s clear the Thai Government are responsible for not expressing the seriousness of the lockdown and isolation to these men. But also for letting them in under different conditions forced upon everyone else.

I would suggest that if these men or other people are allowed in Thailand purely for a refueling stop then they should be quarantined on base under a security watch and not allowed to go tour around town.. if they do not like this arrangement then offer them a fly past!

Lessons need to be learnt quickly.
 

Edited July 15, 2020 by hotchilli

[Dave0206]

I read a few days ago of a foreigner being sued for 500,000 for stray golf ball hitting caddy I avoid golf as someone said just ruins a good walk or something along that lines.

but perhaps more importantly any of us could become infected and inadvertently cause any business to close for a unspecified period of time since all of us farangs are dirty and rich I wonder when the lawsuit claims will start.?

[johng]

Not sure if I heard correctly as I was not really listening to the Thai news "special Covid report" about the escaped Egyptian  but I though they said he went to the department store to buy a replacement aiconditoner remote control ???

[d2b2]

2 hours ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

A few minutes? I wouldn't be licking the bar tops as quickly as you.  Most Corona virus are viable for several hours and up to 9 days.

[Nanaplaza666]

2 hours ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

A few minutes is long enough to infect 1 or maybe 2 persons and they will infect others again , so don't talk about paranoia it's just precaution because before you know it there can be many others .

[Tony125]

2 hours ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

Where did you get your info? 

https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces

Can the coronavirus survive on surfaces?

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems likely to behave like other coronaviruses. A recent review of the survival of human coronaviruses on surfaces found large variability, ranging from 2 hours to 9 days (11).

The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.

[Parsve]

2 hours ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

It is not paranoya. Just you who do not understand the problem.

[Bangkok Barry]

Some people just don't get it. Some people have had enough of restrictions and all the precautions and, yes, in some cases, overkill. But the virus hasn't gone away, it's still there and it will be around for a very long time waiting to hit the careless and unwary. Unfortunately.

[fredwiggy]

3 hours ago, Greg O said:

So the virus that doesn't survive on surfaces more than a few minutes is now grounds to panick, shutdown and close businesses maybe even take a shower and double clean again, thought we got through that already ? Paranoia strikes again..

 

Run Forrest run !!!! 

5 days metal, glass and ceramics, 4 days wood, 2 to 3 plastics and stainless steel, 1 day cardboard, others less, so there is cause for concern.

Edited July 15, 2020 by fredwiggy

[spidermike007]

Such a completely inane reaction to one person who was Covid positive. Positively ridiculous. You would think this was 1666 in Europe. Insanity prevails. 

[Knocker33]

7 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Not too sure anyone will be held responsible for such an atrocious decision ?

As it is Thailand, it will probably be a "carry on with your job, and don't do it again" attitude. 

They will probably be moved to that vast inactive post office they have hidden somewhere. Most of the ones I have observed are inactive playing on there phones anyway 

[AussieinThaiJim]

Just watched PM go to Rayong! No social distancing mask only covered half his face!

What a waist of time! Makes no difference at all.

The government allowed Diplomats and VIP visitors with no quarantine and no checks now the people have the repercussions!

 

[Matzzon]

3 hours ago, NightSky said:

Virus affect anyone, even YOU silly billy!

 

And don't give me the 'wear protection BS' otherwise there would never be any new people born into the world.

 

You really sound like an atrocious individual.

 

Ok, and if I am. Do you need to have problem with it? Does that makes your life better? In that case I am sure they have a medical diagnosis for you.

[CorpusChristie]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Such a completely inane reaction to one person who was Covid positive. Positively ridiculous. You would think this was 1666 in Europe. Insanity prevails. 

Yeah , just hope that it isnt contagious..................... 

[Aussie Col]

They think is hard. Wait until Christmas and the New Year with no fanangs here not buying gifts for their girlfriends and wife's. That will really hurt them.

[kingofthemountain]

2 minutes ago, Aussie Col said:

They think is hard. Wait until Christmas and the New Year with no fanangs here not buying gifts for their girlfriends and wife's. That will really hurt them.

That's why the wire money transfer was created

it's not necessary to be here in person to send the money

you can be sure it's already working pretty well, i don't have the

numbers at the moment but imo the monthly transfer from foreigners

stick abroad to their gf\wife\friend in Thailand should be massive every month

 

[Trujillo]

So let's get this straight: Thailand has shown that even a single non-Thai from outside the country testing positive and spending only one day in the population sends the entire country into a spasm of fear. 

 

We can now understand more of what may happen in the future if Thailand expects to retain a ZERO CASE rate -- a totally unrealistic goal. 

 

Bottom line: If the government and the public freak out over a single positive foreigner (who may not have actually infected anyone; it's too early to tell yet) imagine what will happen when they allow tourists back in? There WILL be transmissions from foreigners, it's an absolute certainty. What then? 

 

[kingofthemountain]

46 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

So let's get this straight: Thailand has shown that even a single non-Thai from outside the country testing positive and spending only one day in the population sends the entire country into a spasm of fear. 

 

We can now understand more of what may happen in the future if Thailand expects to retain a ZERO CASE rate -- a totally unrealistic goal. 

 

Bottom line: If the government and the public freak out over a single positive foreigner (who may not have actually infected anyone; it's too early to tell yet) imagine what will happen when they allow tourists back in? There WILL be transmissions from foreigners, it's an absolute certainty. What then? 

 

It's why imo there will be no tourists coming from abroad

before months or even years. 

The mass tourism in Thailand is relatively a recent thing

and it was limited to few specific areas.

Most of the Thais consider they can do with no foreign tourists 

and anyway the main part of Thailand wasn't frequented by the

foreign tourists (Thailand is a rural area for 70%)

Edited July 15, 2020 by kingofthemountain