Twenty-two fresh and flea markets, in the municipal area of Thailand’s eastern province of Samut Sakhon, have been ordered to close for three days from tomorrow (Friday) for a major cleanup and reorganization, to bring them strictly in line with health standards, to prevent a repeat of the widespread infections at Rodfai market, where 87 people were found to be infected with COVID-19 between January 30^th and February 4^th.

Mayor Chingchai Boonprakong informed owners of the markets about the closures at a meeting today and sought their cooperation in the cleanup over this long weekend.

Under the new arrangement, all the traders and their employees at the markets must produce cards, issued by market owners, stating that they have been cleared of coronavirus, everyone must strictly maintain social distancing and wear face masks at all times.

Meanwhile, in the northwestern province of Tak, on the border with Myanmar, Governor Pongrat Phiromrat, in his capacity as head of the Provincial Communicable Diseases Committee, has ordered the lockdown of the Anzor Masjid Muslim community for seven days from today (Thursday) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Under the order, everyone there is forbidden to leave the community for seven days and entry from outside is banned, unless it is necessary and with prior permission from disease control officials.

The community is located on Mae Sot-Mae Tao Road in the Mae Sot sub-district of Mae Sot.

CCSA deputy spokesman Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said today that 37 new COVID cases were recorded in Mae Sot district, of which 14 were identified during proactive screening. The reminder were already under medical observation.

Dr. Chawetsan Namwart, acting director of the Disease Control and Emergency Health Risk Division, said that all the infections in Mae Sot were linked to Myanmar migrant worker and family.

230 people, thought to be at high risk, have been tested and 43 of them were infected.