All entertainment places in and around Bangkok, including pubs, massage parlours, nightclubs and movie houses, will be closed for two weeks as part of the government’s attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this afternoon.

Sporting events will also be banned until further notice, he said.

He said all mass public gatherings and activities will also be prohibited.  They include concerts, exhibitions and religious gatherings.

The ban will take effect starting Wednesday.

He said they are among a package of measures proposed by the committee to fight against Covid-19 chaired by Prime Minister Prayut and approved by the Cabinet today.

The Cabinet also approved its proposal to postpone the Songkran holiday.

Prayut insisted that the measures are short of locking down Bangkok.  “We have never said anything about shutting down Bangkok. But we need to imposed control,” he said in response to speculation that the government was contemplating a lockdown for the city.