BANGKOK, 28 April 2020:
Thailand’s Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) plans to relax some restrictions and measures for business and public activities as the Covid-19 situation in Thailand continues to improve with single-digit new cases.
Today, Thailand reported seven new Covid-19 cases and two more deaths, bringing the cumulative figures to 2,938 infections and 54 fatalities. A total of 2,652 cases have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.
It is the second day Thailand has recorded single-digit new cases.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said BMA has informed the government of its plan to reopen venues in eight categories — restaurants and beverage shops for take-away service but alcohol will not be served, non-food markets, barber shops and salons (limited services), clinics (not including beauty clinics), golf courses, vets and pet salons, public parks and some sports venues.
He said social distancing must be observed at these venues once they reopen. “The communicable disease committee will make a decision tomorrow,” he said, as quoted by Bangkok Post.
Meanwhile, prime minister general Prayuth Chan o-cha announced the extension of the emergency decree to May 31 to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, with curfew hours remaining from 10pm to 4am.
The order on the extension was published in the Royal Gazette this evening.
He said travel restrictions for all foreigners entering the kingdom will be extended until the end of May and inter-provincial travel will not be allowed.
“The Cabinet also approved to relax some restrictions and measures including reopening some venues, and the relevant agencies will evaluate the situation every 14 days. We may order the closure of venues once there is an outbreak,” he said after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting here today.
Meanwhile, Prayuth said the Cabinet agreed not to defer four public holidays in May – namely Labour Day (May 1), Coronation Day (May 4), Visakha Puja Day or Wesak Day (May 6) and Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May 11).
‘Details on shops and venues that will be reopened will be announced by the relevant agencies in stages later.”
Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand extended the ban on all international passenger arrivals to May 31.
– Bernama