A number of schools suspended their classes as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) after their students traveled to Covid-19 high risk countries such as Japan and South Korea.
The Office of Private Education Commission (Opec) has ordered the closure of an international school in Don Muang district as a precautionary measure after learning that more than 500 students and teachers had returned from a country hit by Covid-19.
Channel 33 said the school is Harrow International School. It also flashed the letter on screen with the school explaining the situation.
Attapon Truektrong, secretary-general of Opec will hold a meeting today with privately-run schools which usually organise field trips abroad to make sure they strictly follow the health guidelines to help contain the spread of Covid-19. “A school break is coming, but I’m concerned about international schools that have different break intervals and organise overseas field trips on a regular basis. They are being urged to postpone their trips especially to Covid-19-hit countries,” he said.
On Wednesday, Phraharuthai Donmuang School also in Don Muang district shut down classes after an eight-year-old pupil tested positive for Covid-19. Tests on pupils and teachers who had close contact with the boy have so far been negative.
The said school that closed for 14 days after a pupil found to be among the three new Covid-19 cases who attended classes there since Monday, has 2500 students.
Another privately-run school in Rayong will also close today for “cleaning” as a precautionary measure to allay concerns after it was rumoured that a pupil who returned from a trip to Japan had fallen ill, Bangkok Post added.
Ratree Khumyat, the acting director of Anuban Taksin Rayong International School, said the child has tested negative for the virus but is staying at home for self-quarantine. Despite this, the school’s management has decided to suspend classes today for disinfection.
In Thailand’s northern province of Phichit, a group of students attending high school Phichit have been told to stay home for 14 days, after the school’s management discovered that they have just returned from a trip to South Korea.
Mr. Boontham Onchan, director of Phichit Pittayyakhom School, said that they learned of the group’s South Korean trip, from February 15th to 19th, three days after they resumed classes, adding that he immediately ordered all the returnees to stay home and notify provincial health officials, although none of the students have yet shown any flu-like symptoms, Thai PBS reported.
Other schools which were not reported have also decided to suspend classes as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus.
Read more at Bangkok Post, Thai PBS, Khaosod English
Photo: The Standard