On Saturday (May 1), the Phuket COVID-19 information centre requested that 157 passengers on board seven recent domestic flights be tested and go into quarantine after cases were diagnosed on their planes.
The centre also released seating charts highlighting those who had sat nearest the sources of infection.
In the new guideline issued by the CAAT, which took effect on Saturday, all airlines are being asked for cooperation to limit the number of flights between 11pm and 4am.
This is to avoid causing hold-ups in passengers’ journeys and keep the flight schedules in line with the running times of other public transport services.
Airports are now required to take both passenger and visitor temperatures on entry and exit, with airport officials responsible for promptly alerting local health authorities to anyone a reading higher than 37.5C or who displays visible signs of illness.
All airlines are also advised to ensure in-flight social distancing, while both airlines and airports are required to notify passengers that they have to avoid travelling in the event they are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are contacts of a confirmed case.
If they flout the directive they may face legal action under the Disease Control Act.
Meanwhile, the Department of Airports yesterday issued a new order for all airports to step up COVID-19 control measures as well after detection of new COVID-19 infections connected with the seven flights operated by three airlines to and from Phuket airport on April 15.
Aphirat Chaiyawongnoi, director-general of the department, said every airport is required to work together with heath authorities in screening visitors for COVID-19 by means of body temperature scanning.
All visitors to any airports and air passengers are now required to wear a face mask throughout their visit to the airports and while aboard the aircraft, said Mr Aphirat.
Among other heightened COVID-19 control measures ordered by the department are that airports disinfect passengers’ luggage and clean up and sanitise airport spaces and equipment more frequently, he said.