All schools and educational institutes in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Khon Kaen have been ordered to close until January 14^th by Governor Somsak Jungtrakul. This Saturday’s National Children’s Day has also been postponed indefinitely over COVID-19 concerns.

The closure order, which came after a meeting of the provincial communicable committee yesterday, is applicable to schools, educational institutes of all levels and child development centres, with the exception of centres for special children.

During the closure, administrators have been instructed to hold online classes instead.

All government offices were also told to implement working from home, while private businesses have been asked to allow their employees to work from home until further notice.

According to Khon Kaen’s provincial administration, 145 new COVID-19 cases were reported yesterday (Sunday), raising total infections in the province, since April last year, to 28,188.

1,088 people are still being treated in hospitals.

Meanwhile, in the eastern province of Chon Buri, 351 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, but no COVID-related fatalities.

A notice was issued yesterday, by the Chon Buri COVID-19 Operations Centre, advising people who have visited food shops that serve alcohol or crowded venues in the Tree Town market in Pattaya to report for two antigen tests by Wednesday.