Thailand declares stricter measures, closes businesses to contain Covid-19

(NST) – Thailand has declared stricter measures for 28 Covid-19 red zone provinces nationwide, while Bangkok has closed 25 types of businesses to contain the resurgence of infections.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said the new measures will be effective until Feb 1.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the CCSA and the Emergency Operation Centre agreed on the stricter controls following a rise in local infections.

On Saturday, Thailand reported 216 new cases with one more death, bringing the total to 7,379 cases and 64 fatalities.

Of the new cases reported, 214 infections involved locals.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang signed the order on Friday that temporarily closes businesses that gathers people.

Those affected are entertainment venues such as pubs and bars; water parks and amusement parks; playgrounds; child play areas at markets; floating markets and flea markets.

Authorities have also banned consumption of alcohol in eateries, convenience stores, food stalls or hawkers, restaurants and food centres.

Barbershops or hairdressers must limit service time per customer to two hours and not allow them to wait in their shops while schools in the capital city were also ordered to close for two weeks.

Bangkok Metropolitan Authority has set up 14 checkpoints on in-bound roads to screen people returning home from their holidays.

Bangkok is among the 28 provinces declared as a red zone by the CCSA.

Other provinces include Tak, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Lop Buri.

Dr Taweesilp said that apart from the rising number of cases, new infections were still detected among migrant workers with clusters in Bangkok spreading to many other areas.

The heightened restrictions, which will be presented to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for approval, are divided into two tiers.

The first tier limits the operating hours of businesses and those deemed high risk will be closed; allows searches and arrest of people who gather illegally; discourages inter-province travel; closes educational institutions; and encourages work from home across the red zones, said Dr Taweesilp.

Other measures in the first tier include travel restrictions for people in red zones, urgent active case finding and disease investigations.

He said if the first tier was unsuccessful in controlling the virus, second tier measures will be introduced.

In the second tier, the restriction on operating hours will be expanded to more businesses and more types of businesses will be closed. More types of gatherings will also be prohibited.

A curfew will be enforced if the second tier measures are introduced though its timing is yet to be finalised.

Dining in at restaurants is still allowed for now and the CSSA urged the people not to hoard goods.

Dr Taweesilp said if a dine-in ban was issued, the CCSA would ensure restaurants have enough time to prepare.