Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited announces its precaution and transmission prevention plans for the airline and its three airports regarding the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pneumonia, for the reassurance of passenger health and safety.
Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways commented that, “The airline has ordered all of its stations and airports to strictly follow advice and prevention procedures of the local authorities and to inform the Emergency Response Planning Division regularly in order to take appropriate measures. The company’s precaution and prevention plans are in accordance with the standards and guidance of national authorities such as Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand as well as international organizations such as International Air Transport Association (IATA), World Health Organization (WHO).”
The precaution and prevention plans for Bangkok Airways (airline) are as follows:
- All stations, both in Thailand and overseas, are to strictly follow advice and prevention procedures of the local authorities and airports.
- To perform primary screening by observing any obvious general health conditions of the passengers, whether at the ticketing office, check-in counters, or in the cabin once aboard. If any passenger is found with signs or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (as defined by the Department of Disease Control and World Health Organization), the staff shall notify public health officers at such port immediately.
- To intensify hygienic measures aboard the aircraft including disinfecting and cleaning the aircraft flying to and from China immediately before operating any and all flights.
- In the event that a suspected Coronavirus-infected passenger is found on any Bangkok Airways flight, the airline will have the aircraft cleaned and sterilized immediately.
- An assistance center has been set up to assist staff who may require emergency assistance such as flight crew or ground service personnel.
- In-flight announcements regarding additional instructions have been implemented on flights that operate in and out of China.
- Protective face masks are provided to crew members and ground service staff to wear when on duty. Especially, staff at Chongqing and Chengdu station in China as they are required to wear protective face masks and protective glasses at work at all times.
The precaution and prevention plans for airports are as follows:
Samui Airport
- Set up various notification boards around the airport to provide necessary information about the Coronavirus for passengers as well as provide trainings for airport staff and operations on relevant topics.
- Thermal surveillance equipment such as thermo-scanners and infrared thermometers have been installed at inbound gates to screen passengers who are arriving at Samui airport from China.
- Passengers on direct flights from China to Samui will undergo health screening, including having their temperature taken by a Department of Disease Control officer. If any passenger has body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius and is from the risk-area, the Department of Disease Control will set up the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and have the medical staff take the passenger to the designated hospital.
- Samui Airport has been in contact with the Samui Tourism Association to notify all the hotels on Koh Samui, especially those hotels with Chinese guests, to help observe if there are any guests showing respiratory symptoms, and if so, to have the hotel contact the designated hospital immediately.
- Samui Airport has prepared adequate amounts of Cleansing hand gels for passengers throughout the airport and also increased the frequency of general cleaning in high-traffic areas such as at check-in counters, passenger lounges, and restrooms.
Sukhothai Airport and Trat Airport
- Closely monitor the situation and strictly follow guidance from local authorities.
- Set up various notification boards around the airport to provide necessary information about the Coronavirus for passengers as well as provide trainings for airport staff and operations on relevant topics.
- Provide additional areas for cleansing hand gels
- Have protective face masks ready for passengers and staff
- Increase the frequency of general cleaning in high-traffic areas such as check-in counters, passenger lounges, and restrooms.
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited takes the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pneumonia outbreak seriously and puts the health and safety of its passengers and staff at the highest priority. The company is working closely with the local authorities in monitoring the situation. Passengers who may require further information about the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pneumonia may contact the Department of Disease Control at Call Center tel. 1422 (24hrs.)
