‘Boat Quarantine’: Lessons Learned from SARS-CoV-2 Prevention and Control Measures in Fishing Communities in Thailand

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 posed, and continues to pose, a severe threat to life, and for fishermen in Thailand, specific multifaceted quarantine design measures have been required. In response to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Trat province, a community quarantine centre was designed using boats as quarantine facilities. This study examines the implementation of boat quarantine in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic within the fishermen communities in Trat province, Thailand. In-depth interviews with 45 key individuals who have been involved in the control and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 among fishermen in the fishing communities were subjected to a thematic analysis. Boat quarantine was used to separate and restrict contact between fishermen who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, to determine whether they became sick and to prevent mass infection within the community. Using a boat as a place to self-isolate has become an effective form of quarantine for fishermen. This model has implications for the future of infectious disease control onshore, both while the pandemic continues and after the pandemic comes to an end.

Occupational safety and health among fishing boat workers in Thailand

“…However, the authors speculate that the risks may increase if the excreted fecal matter was aerosolized and spread to other crew members, the boat remains stationary or in port with repeated excreta disposal in the same spot, or if the water receiving excreta was used as a drinking water source [23]. Furthermore, the crowded condition on board also predisposes the crew to outbreaks of diseases and makes fishing boat workers vulnerable to infectious diseases nonetheless [24]- [27].…”

Do Electronic Health Literacy and Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Mediate the Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors on COVID-19- and Non-communicable Disease-Related Behaviors Among Myanmar Migrants in Southern Thailand?

“…Among our participants, seafarer migrants displayed high NCD risk behaviors, low adherence to CPB, and low COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Migrant seafarers have high rates of smoking and alcohol consumption among migrant seafarers [ 51 , 52 ] due to stressful working and living conditions [ 53 ], as well as high rates of COVID-19 infections due to close contact, the impracticality of wearing masks at sea, and small shared bedrooms [ 54 ]. These seafarers worked and stayed longer on the boats; it was impossible to practice physical distancing in the crowded working and living conditions [ 55 ], which may hamper their adherence to CPB.…”