In a sudden volte-face, Nonthaburi Governor Suchin Chakchumsak has rescinded an order he issued yesterday, to ease lockdown restrictions from tomorrow (Wednesday), on several retail businesses, which have all been deemed necessary for the wellbeing of the public.

On Monday, the Governor decided to allow certain retail outlets to reopen, during certain hours and with conditions. The types of business included beauty salons, barbers, electrical appliance repair shops, computer and smartphone outlets and repair services, stores selling construction materials, furniture, office machines, lottery tickets and mail and parcel delivery services.

The same order also extends the ban on liquor sales until the end of April.

The action, however, triggered widespread protests, prompting a review by the Governor.

Under the new order, only smartphone maintenance service shops, located in shopping malls, can reopen from tomorrow, and only on the condition that they adopt appropriate anti-contagion measures.

In Pattaya, the city’s mayor, Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem, told Thai PBS yesterday that the city’s administration would consider easing some of the lockdown restrictions, if random tests of some 2,000 people, considered to be at high risk of being infected with COVID-19, show an insignificant number of positive results.

More than 300 people, working in entertainment services and who are regarded as being at high risk, have been tested in the past two days and only one of them was positive for the virus.

Mr. Sonthaya said the test results were a relief to him, but cautioned that more have to be tested before restrictions can be eased.