Hanoi(VNA) - Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on March 3 announced new measuresto fight the acute respiratory disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The Thaigovernment’s spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said state officials have tosuspend or postpone business trips to countries and regions where the virus isspreading. If they cannot cancel the trips, they need permission from theirheads or related agencies.

State employeeswho have returned to Thailand from countries and regions at risk or havetransited these places or suspected to have contracted the virus can work athome for 14 days to observe their condition.

The Thaigovernment will set up an information center to integrate information from allagencies and receive feedbacks as well as provide the right information to thepublic regarding COVID-19.

Meanwhile, theMinistry of Commerce must prevent hoarding of products such as gels and masks,both online and in stores.

Transportagencies and local administrative bodies must strictly screen passengers at keyareas such as airports, train stations and bus stations.

The Ministry ofLabour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to closely monitor Thais livingin the countries and regions hit by the virus.

The Ministriesof Interior and Defense were assigned to prepare locations for quarantine andobserve the condition of people who have returned to Thailand or those who aresuspected of having been infected.

State agencieswill have to seek the cooperation of private companies to avoid or postponeactivities that will see mass gatherings of people, which might expose them tothe risk of virus infection.

The Thaigovernment had announced the COVID-19 outbreak as an emergency after it wasdeclared as a dangerous communicable disease on February 24./.