Blinken shortens SE Asia trip after travelling member tests Covid-19 positive

 

United States Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has cut short his trip to Southeast Asia as a member of the travelling press corps tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Malaysia.

Spokesperson Ned Price said Blinken spoke today by phone with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and expressed his deep regret that he would not be able to visit Bangkok this week.

Price said Blinken had to cut short the trip to mitigate the risk of the spread of Covid-19 and to prioritise the health and safety of the US travelling party and those they would otherwise come into contact with.

“The secretary would be returning to Washington DC out of an abundance of caution,” he said in a statement.

The spokesperson added that Blinken extended an invitation for Don to visit Washington at the earliest opportunity.

“He (Blinken) looked forward to travelling to Thailand as soon as possible.

“They affirmed that they would use the upcoming engagements to further deepen the US-Thai alliance,” he said.

Malaysian government informed of a positive Covid-19 case

Blinken was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok on the third and final leg of his Southeast Asian regional tour yesterday evening, after visiting Indonesia and Malaysia. He was scheduled to call on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha and hold a bilateral meeting with Don.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had informed the Malaysian government of a positive Covid-19 case in the travelling party accompanying Blinken.

According to a statement from the embassy yesterday, the sole member of the travelling party who tested positive is observing all requirements of the Malaysian Health Ministry.

"We can confirm that the person was not involved and has not participated in any of Blinken's programmes in Kuala Lumpur. We confirm all other members of the party tested negative for Covid-19 upon arrival in Malaysia,” the statement said.

The embassy thanked the Health Ministry for its outstanding support for the health and well-being of the Covid-19 positive individual and of the public, and the Foreign Ministry for its support for this visit.

- Bernama