Coronavirus Update for Employers in Thailand
Multinational employers with employees in Thailand should read LawtonAsia’s client newsletter to get answers about employee’s health insurance coverage and COVID-19. According to LawtonAsia, global workforce managers should also know that:
- There is a nationwide curfew in place from 10PM to 4AM.
- State quarantine is in effect for all Thais returning to the country.
- Foreign returnees need fit-to-fly certificates (which LawtonAsia can arrange), proof of US$100,000 worth of medical insurance and be able to pass temperature screening; plus 14 days government quarantine. (Note: commercial flights into Thailand temporarily suspended).
- Thai people are asked to postpone their travel to Thailand until after April 15th.
- Provincial governors are to decide on local measures to combat the virus (for instance Pattaya City is in lockdown)
- Thai schools closed until July 1, 2020 and international schools trying to carry on with online teaching
- Thai New Year holiday April 13th – 15th has been cancelled by the government and these are now working days
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The sale of alcohol is banned from April 10th to 20th.
Health coverage documents + telemedicine
- All insurers used by LawtonAsia, with the exception of Aetna, have agreed to accept scanned documents for making claims.
- LawtonAsia’s telemed app will soon be available to all clients regardless of nationality.
Best practices
- If elderly people are living with an employee, advise the employee to work from home if possible.
- Communicate the practical steps employees need to take to prevent spreading the coronavirus.
Also, LawtonAsia’s client service continues as normal with 50% of staff working from home and remainder in the office.
Helpful resources
Asinta’s Thai Partner, LawtonAsia, provided this coronavirus update for employers in Thailand.