Congestion, poor ventilation and sharing of the same drinking vessels have been blamed as the main causes of the spread of COVID-19 in five factories, with more than 500 workers each, in Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi provinces, said Department of Health Director-General Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai today (Friday).

He disclosed that about 250 infections have, so far, been found in the factories, which were also found to have poor air circulation and were overcrowded, with more than one person per 4 square metres.

The workers were not properly screened for COVID-19 infection before entering the workplace, and prefer to eat together, socialise and share the same glasses for drinking water, said Dr. Suwanchai said.

The condition of their housing facilities do not meet the basic health standards of the Ministry of Public Health either, making them ideal for the transmission of the disease, he said.

According to the follow-up reports of self-assessments of businesses, through the Thai Stop COVID Plus platform, up to May 11^th, 1,386 factories have voluntarily submitted assessments, with 1,056 of them, or 76%, having met the set standard.

The director-general then urged all businesses to step up their preventive measures, screen all workers, reduce congestion in the workplace and improve ventilation, in addition to requiring workers to wear face masks at all times while working, cleaning workers’ lodgings and regularly disinfecting vehicles, in the case where transport services are provided.