Samut Sakhon's Central Shrimp Market, the epicentre of the second wave of COVID-19 in Thailand, reopens on March 1, after being closed 10 weeks ago. (Source: Bangkokpost) The market was crowded with traders, buyers and migrantworkers who must all strictly follow measures imposed to prevent the spread ofthe virus.
Trucks delivering seafood to the market, and the vehicles ofsellers and buyers, must all go through screening points. The temperatures ofall occupants are checked and they must show proof they have been tested for COVID-19.
All migrant workers at all fish and shrimp piers must wearface masks and protective gear such as gloves, rubber boots and rubber aprons,in line with the standards set by the Public Health Ministry.
Traders and owners of fish and shrimp stalls all expressedtheir delight when the market had finally reopened after being closed for over 10weeks.
The province's accumulated COVID-19 cases during the third wave rose to 16,377, ofwhom seven have died.
On the same day, Thailand logged in 80 new COVID-19infections, putting the national tally at 26,031, including 83 deaths.
Thailand kicked off its COVID-19 inoculation campaign a dayprior, with cabinet ministers, health officials and medical professionals amongthe first in the queue to receive vaccinations.
The first doses of vaccine, developed by China’s SinovacBiotech, were given to Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is alsothe health minister, among others at an infectious diseases institute on theoutskirts of Bangkok.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 66, also attended theevent, although his age falls outside the range of 18 to 59 suitable to receiveSinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine, so he did not get it.
Thailand received its first 200,000 doses of the Sinovacvaccine from China, which have been distributed to 13 high-risk provinces. Itwill receive another 1.8 million shots in March and April.
Thailand is expected to take delivery of 17,000 doses ofAstraZeneca’s vaccine in the second week of March./.
VNA
