Thailand life in Covid-19 times.

We live in interesting and serious times. This COVID-19 virus pandemic is having a major impact, economically, politically and socially, the world over.

Today I will share my thoughts on this, how we are being affected here in Bangkok. We will discuss how our daily lives are being impacted and the biggest question of all in my inbox, should I cancel my holiday to Thailand?

THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THAILAND

As of 5 March 2020, there have been 43 reported cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) since January. The National Party have labelled the Covid-19 outbreak as a dangerous communicable disease. This has not reached its third stage, defined as spreading fast with considerable patient numbers at the community level.

There are signs that the country is gearing up for this. Schools have cancelled programs and currently, one Bangkok school is closed with one infected pupil returning from Japan. Major events are starting to be cancelled and there are Facebook discussions on whether the upcoming Songkran holiday celebrations will be curtailed.

The Thai Government issued a recommendation (3rd March) that requests anyone returning from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Italy, Iran, Germany and France to place themselves in a 14 self-quarantine from the date of their return, including those who have been in close contact with people who have travelled from these countries.

Update 5 March: Thai Government new list of at-risk countries is South Korea, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran. They have removed the mandatory self-quarantine from Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, France, Germany and Vietnam with the message that Thailand is open to tourists.

Update 6th March:

The Health Ministry informs there will be no compulsory quarantine for people visiting Thailand from countries worst affected by the coronavirus outbreak

As you can see this is a fluid and ever-changing situation!

WHAT’S The concern ABOUT?

For us, as fit adults in the non-risk category (those not with compromised immune systems, young and elderly) it seems as the risk is not so much in getting the virus. It is more about either passing this on to those in the compromised health groups without knowing it, or needing to self-quarantine or being landlocked into a country.

We draw on our experience in Hong Kong arriving just after SARS, living through Avian Flu and having our daughter landlocked in Liberia when the country closed its borders and airline staff refused to work on flights to Liberia due to Ebola with less than 24 hours notice.

I also refer you to the excellent report from the World Health Organisation who sent 25 international experts to China. I found this a helpful read in determining my own personal approach.

Mask style at Chada Hair salon

LIfe AND WORK IN THAILAND At Present

Apartments, hotels, shopping centres and offices are inconsistent with their approaches. We are seeing scanning equipment to detect those with temperatures arriving at some hotels and shopping centres. Twice I have travelled through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the last 10 days with no such checks in place.

In contrast, our vehicle was stopped on a mountain road to Pai, in Northern Thailand and our temperatures checked last weekend! In Pai, the streets were being washed down by lorries spraying jets of water, or perhaps disinfectant.

In the workplace, situations vary. At many of the major companies, temperatures are taken on arrival, all visitors must wear masks and all employees must self-report any ill health.  My husband was sent to the hospital for the common cold last week and was required to work from home for 2 days. Most business travel has been cancelled.

It is fair to say that everyone is wary. If you hear anyone coughing, it immediately registers. My mask is on hand throughout the day. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has posted a message on his Facebook page saying that the ministry will start handing out 100,000 face masks a day on Monday.

This seems to be in direct contrast to the advice UK/Australian friends and family that the mask is ineffective and can actually harbour the virus.

Anecdotally, people are beginning to show signs of stress, particularly those in the workforce dealing with an ever-changing business scene or isolated at home either with the children or in quarantine.

Life on the edge at Pai Grand Canyon

WHAT IS Thailand TRAVEL LIKE Currently? 

We have taken the approach to keep calm, business as normal, but proceed with caution.

As I believe that each country has its own political agenda, I will take responsibility for my own health and hygiene.

If you are in a low-risk category, can deal with sudden changes to your program then yes you can certainly enjoy Thailand at the moment (with care). The impact of COVID-19 on Thai tourism has been massive, particularly due to the impact of Chinese tourism. Thai tourist numbers are down, they expect by 50% and quite frankly I’m loving this.

Our recent wonderful weekend in Chiang Mai and Pai, was the Thailand of 30 years ago when only the intrepid, searching for adventure were there!

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF?

I will do everything I can to minimise the risk

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

• Wash hands frequently and constantly use hand sanitizer (I also have been given a steroid cream for my skin irritation on my palms from the hand sanitizers – you can’t win.)
• No-one is hugging or shaking hands these days. I’m hearing a slap on the back is the way to go! I’m suddenly into air kissing. Oh my goodness how did it come to this?
• Avoid public places where I believe there to be a high risk of being in close proximity to people. We enjoyed a lovely evening at The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra on Monday. Our temperatures were taken on arrival, we like the majority of the audience, wore masks, but attendance numbers were low which gave us the freedom to sit away from others.
• Watch and wait when travelling on escalators to give myself as much personal space as I can where ever I am.
• As above for lifts remembering the story of how SARS started in a Hong Kong lift. Mask up at all times when I can’t be alone or with people I know, in a lift.

Masked up for Sunday Brunch at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin

IMMUNITY BOOSTING

• We are knocking back the high strength vitamins like no-one’s business. Armaforce is our best friend, as is high strength Vitamin C.
• You can tell I like the natural remedies as quite frankly our bodies are also under attack from all the chemicals being sprayed everywhere to kill off bugs. So I start the day Oil pulling with coconut oil.

STRESS REDUCTION:

• Take on board all measures to deal with stress. In these are high-stress times, we’re into yoga here and my chakra balancing mist is getting a good work out!

AT HOME:

• Forget the sweet smell of arriving home to a lemongrass spa experience. I’m into the smell of Dettol big time these days! I don’t touch anything until I have washed my hands, shoes off at the door etc Alcohol wipes are used for phones, handbags etc. I’ve gone as far as nothing on the kitchen bench from outside without a wipe down.
• We are trying to keep a sense of humour and I loved my friend buying 6 bottles of hand sanitiser from China when we couldn’t get hand sanitizer for love nor money in Thailand or Australia.  Then using up one entire bottle of hand sanitizer to clean the other 5 bottles before use!

IN THE CAR:

• We have invested in an ATEM IQ air purifier in the car, which eliminates airborne particles including Virus and Bacteria. We have tried to set the place up as a safe zone. Anyone travelling in the car is offered hand sanitiser and the car is wiped down frequently with antibacterial wipes each morning. So we then need to clean the air we breathe!

ON AIRPLANES:

• Mask on, wearable Personal Air purifier round my neck, wipe down all surfaces. Trying to sit away from people, paying to sit in the Emergency Exit rows and as close to the front as possible. This is getting more difficult as the empty flights of two weeks ago have disappeared as flight cancellations are forcing everyone together.
• Choosing airlines that are demonstrating they are being proactive with their concern for passenger care. See Thai Airlines response to additional precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
• Having an open flight ticket out which gives you some sort of priority should there be a sudden lockdown of borders may give some priority should the situation deteriorate.

IN HOTELS:

• Choosing those hotels which Trip Advisor reviews show to have a high level of cleanliness.
• I contact each hotel to ask them specifically about their Covid-19 preparations and then I take my own precautions as above.

Health and safety measures at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

SHOULD I CANCEL MY TRIP TO THAILAND?

I hope this has given some insights to life currently here in Bangkok and some of the factors that might affect your decision to continue with your holiday. Covid-19 is a fluid situation and we can expect more advisories in the coming days or weeks.

We should all put protection of own health (and ultimately family and friends on our return) to the foremost.

If you do decide to come to the Land of Smiles and do so in the spirit to keep calm, business as normal, but proceed with caution, you will find a welcoming land, quieter than usual. There are some great travel bargains to be had!

OTHER GREAT POSTS ON CORONAVIRUS:

Deer is Travelling: How to avoid Coronavirus (Thailand based)

Cut Lunch Adventures: Coronavirus: why we’re travelling to Nepal

Points Brotherhood: How the Coronavirus has changed our travel plans

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