Saturday saw 6 new COVID-19 infections recorded in Thailand, but no fatalities. Two of them caught the disease from previously infected people, two were discovered during Active Case Finding in Phuket and two are in state quarantine, having returned Japan and India. The death toll remains at 54 and 2,732 people have recovered.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin stressed the importance of the role quarantine plays in the detection of infections in people arriving from abroad.

Accumulated infections in Thailand now stand at 2,966 across 68 provinces, with Bangkok having the most with 1,524 confirmed cases, followed by Phuket with 220, Nonthaburi with 157, Yala with 118, Samut Prakan with 114, Chon Buri with 87, Pattani with 79, Songkhla with 44 and Chiang Mai with 40.

The CCSA spokesman assured that lockdown restrictions will be eased tomorrow, including the take-away sale of liquor, adding that people travelling between provinces are still subject to temperature screenings at road checkpoints, and those from high-risk provinces will have to enter quarantine at their destination.

Interior permanent secretary Chalerm Promlert said that the degree of relaxation is at the discretion of each province’s governor, but within the guidelines laid down by the CCSA.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang, meanwhile, said that City Hall is ready to ease restrictions on six types of business and leisure activity tomorrow, but he reminded the operators that they must maintain social distancing within the premises, everyone must wear a face mask and sanitizer gel must be available for customers. He said that only one customer should be seated at each table at dine-in restaurants.

Dr. Taweesin said the CCSA has divided provinces around the country into three colour groups, based on the local infection rate. They are:

• Light Orange – which means there were new infections in the past 28 days. This group includes Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Suphan Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Phayao, Phitsanuloke, Lampang, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sakhon Nakhon, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Chumpon, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Yala, Satun and Surat Thani.
• Light Yellow – which means no new infections for the past 28 days. This group includes Phetchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Saraburi, Samut Songkhram, Chiang Rai, Phetchabun, Phrae, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Uttradit, Uthai Thani Kalasin Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Mukda Han, Yasothon, Roi-et, Si Sa Ket, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen and Udon Thani.
• Green – which means the province is yet to record a single infection. This group includes Chainat, Trat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Kamphaeng Phet, Nan, Phichit, Bung Karn, Ranong and Satun (used as a state quarantine area).