Phuket Airport Screens Passengers to and from China

29th Jan 2020

Phuket Airport has subjected its passengers to thermal screening as a preventive measure amid the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus. The Phuket News reported on Monday that the airport's management has started screening arriving passengers from China and those who are leaving for China.

“All passengers are screened at the boarding gate as soon as they get off the plane,” an officer from Phuket Airport’s Health Control Division was quoted as saying. “We are also checking all passengers returning on direct flights to China when they are leaving as well,” the officer added.

A special health screening section was installed beside the Immigration division.

As of Wednesday, the number of infected individuals in mainland China rose to 5,974 - surpassing the 5,327 confirmed cases of SARS in 2003 - while the death toll increased to 132. Last week, the Chinese government ordered a lockdown on Wuhan Airport to prevent the virus from spreading to other countries.

Meanwhile, passengers from China to Bangkok with connecting flights to Phuket will no longer require screening because Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have also set up their own thermal screeners.

Phuket Provincial Health Chief Thanit Sermkaew, at a news briefing over the weekend, said that the health management had examined 4,943 people arriving from China from January 5 to 25. These include cabin crew and pilots. The health officers said there were 14 people suspected of being infected, of which eight have been released by the hospital.

Related Airports

• Phuket Airport

Related News

Phuket high season see 6,730 scheduled December flights

Phuket airport arrivals rise after winter schedule changeover

Polish Airlines flies first Warsaw to Phuket flight

30,000 daily passengers expected at Phuket airport

Related Travel Guide Articles

Phuket Flights. Information on Flights to and from Phuket.