Health officials check tourists' temperatures as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, Thailand, March 4, 2020. (SAKCHAI LALIT/AP)

BANGKOK - Thailand on Wednesday cancelled the visa exemption policy for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, South Korea and Italy to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the country's interior minister said.

READ MORE: HK, Macao visitors subject to 14-day quarantine in Thailand

Minister of Interior Anupong Paochinda also announced to temporarily suspend the grant of visa on arrival for passport holders of 19 countries and territories, including China.

Thailand's interior minister also announced to temporarily suspend the grant of visa on arrival for passport holders of 19 countries and territories, including China

The suspensions announced on Wednesday were the latest measures imposed in the tourism-reliant Southeast Asian country, which has reported 59 cases of the virus and one death so far. Globally, over 113,000 people have been infected in over 100 countries.

“People from any country who want to come will need to apply for a visa with our embassies,” Anupong told reporters.

“Thai embassies everywhere will ensure that no sick people will travel to Thailand.”

Anupong said he would start the process immediately but it was not immediately clear when they will be effective.

A foreign ministry official said visa applicants will need to present medical certificates and insurance as part of the screening at Thai embassies.

ALSO READ: Japan suspends visa-free policy for HK, Macao amid epidemic

On Monday, Thai government said it would impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on visitors from the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, as well as from the Chinese mainland, South Korea, Italy and Iran when they enter Thailand.

Hong Thai Travel Services has canceled all tours to Thailand from Monday till March 31, affecting about 800 travelers.

The number of tourist arrivals in Thailand fell 44.3 percent in February from a year earlier due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said on Monday. Visitors from China, Thailand's biggest source of tourists, tumbled 85.3 percent, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said. 

With Reuters inputs