Phuket provincial authorities yesterday, July 10th, has ordered the full closure of all schools and the adjustment to online teaching to prevent the possible spread and clusters of the Covid-19 Coronavirus on the island.
The order, signed by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, has restricted all educational institutions and tutoring institutions on the island to conduct offline teaching and organize any activities that require a large gathering of students.
The institutions must provide teaching and learning without having the students attend classes by adjusting teaching to an online platform. The order will be effective for 2 weeks, starting this Monday (July 12th) until Friday (July 23rd).
Meanwhile, Kusak Kukiatkul, chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Department, stated that the new Covid-19 control orders implemented in Bangkok (Click here to learn more), caused some people to leave Bangkok, and Phuket is one of the destinations that people come to regularly. Therefore, infections may be possibly transmitted to any of the students’ parents or become high-risk groups.
Despite, the closure order, the Phuket Sandbox can still be operated functionally, he added.
The Phuket Governor has also ordered to step up checks at land entrances to the province in terms of ensuring people have been fully vaccinated or tested negative for Covid-19, as many people are reportedly attempting to enter the province recently. There are concerns that people, especially from the Bangkok area, may be attempting to “flee” restrictions and measures that see many businesses closed and an overnight curfew and as a result, are looking to travel to provinces with more relaxed rules.
To enter Phuket domestically, one must be fully vaccinated (except Astrazeneca, one dose is ok), have recovered fully from Covid-19 within the past 90 days with proof, or have a negative test for Covid-19 within the last 7 days. This is especially true for people coming from provinces that are considered maximum control or high-risk like Bangkok.
TPN media notes that about 67% percent of Phuket residents are fully vaccinated and 85% have had at least one jab. This has led many to question why the island would close schools or issue further restrictions with such a successful vaccination program.
Phuket orders closure of all schools to prevent Covid-19 spread among students and parents, effective Monday - The Pattaya News