The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended closures of several venues including schools until May 31st, with an exception of eateries which can reopen today (Monday), according to a BMA announcement issued yesterday.

Previous BMA announcements, issued on April 25th and 30th, ordering the closure of all entertainment venues, movie theatres, fitness clubs, children’s playgrounds, educational institutes, all competition grounds, boxing rings, horse, race courses and public swimming pools are due to expire today. The new announcement has extended the closures for two more weeks.

Dine-in service in eateries are permissible up to 9pm, with the number of diners limited to one per table which normally seats four people, but no alcohol may be served. Take-home and delivery services can continue until 11pm.

The latest announcement followed a meeting of the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee on Sunday, which assessed the COVID-19 spread in the capital, where 27 clusters of infections have been reported in 17 districts.

Only seven clusters have been brought under control so far, while efforts are ongoing to contain the spread of the disease in the remainder.

Clusters in prisons are the responsibility of the Corrections Department, the latest update from which says 6,853 inmates have, so far, been found to be infected with the disease.