COVID-19: Thailand blocks all international arrivals

Thailand on Thursday banned all international arrivals until April 15 to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

According to daily Bangkok Post, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government needs time to “properly prepare” state quarantine facilities.

He said arrivals from outside, including Thais, have to be slowed down "to stop the disease", the report quoted a government spokesman as saying.

"Related agencies will in the meantime prepare the places and coordinate with Thai embassies to ensure all Thais returning home will be quarantined and get proper medical checks," the premier said.

The new measure builds on the national emergency declared last month, which will last until April 30.

Thailand has 1,875 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths so far, while 505 people have recovered, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows nearly 952,000 cases have been reported in 180 countries and regions since the virus emerged in Wuhan, China, last December.

The global death toll is over 48,200, while more than 202,000 people have recovered, according to the figures.