Thailand is scaling up its measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the time of this writing, Thailand has accounted 1,978 confirmed cases with 19 COVID-19 related deaths. The government has implemented curfew starting from 3 April and effectively limiting public transportations not only in Bangkok, but across the country.
These measures have significant impacts to the HIV service delivery in the country as community-based organisations and community-led health service delivery facilities are required to comply with these preventive mandates and also requesting their staff to limit their operating and work hours.
The community-based clinics remains committed to provide services to gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers and transgender communities amid the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there are some changes in the operating hours to which the clinics can provide HIV testing and treatment.
APCOM liaised with our community partners to provide a summary of observed operating days and hours of their clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our community partners include CAREMAT, Mplus, Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), SWING, and Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center. Each have their own measures to minimize risk of COVID-19 such as providing gel sanitizers, limiting the number of clients in the clinic and social distancing. Check on APCOM’s TestBKK (www.testbkk.org) page for any changes and updates.
In the interim, the following are the observed operating hours with few notes to clients for proper service deliveries:
| Community clinic | Observed operating days and hours during COVID19 outbreak | Notes for clients |
|---|---|---|
| KPLHS (CAREMAT) | Tue-Fri 13.00-18.00 Sat 9.00-16.00 | Clients are requested to arrive 45 minutes ahead of appointment schedule |
| Mplus Chiang Mai | Mon-Sat 13.00-19.00 | Clients are requested to book appointment before arrival |
| Mplus Chiang Rai | Mon-Fri 13.00-19.00 | Clients are requested to book appointment before arrival |
| RSAT BKK | Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat 12.00-18.00 | |
| RSAT HATYAI | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 12.00-18.00 | |
| RSAT UBON | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 12.00-18.00 | |
| RSAT Chonburi | Mon,Tue,Fri,Sat 12.00-18.00 | |
| SWING BKK | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 13.00-17.00 | last case acceptable at 16.30 |
| SWING PATTAYA | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 13.00-17.00 | last case acceptable at 16.30 |
| TRCARC | Mon-Fri 8.30-15.00 (over time open) Wed, Fri, 16.00-18.00 (over time open) Sat 8.30-11.30 |
The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 1
COVID-19 and its effects on diverse SOGIESC communities, HIV services and Key Populations
The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 2
Community-Based Organisations in times of the pandemic
The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 3
Possible effects on human rights of key populations and LGBTQI Community
The COVID-19 Effect Series: Part 4
A collective call for immediate response amid COVID-19 outbreak and government lockdowns
The COVID-19 Effect Series:
Community clinics in Thailand strives to provide HIV services amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 Effect Series:
A collective call for immediate response amid COVID-19 outbreak and government lockdowns
