Citing rising COVID-19 infections in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, Governor Pongrat Phiromrat has ordered the closure of all schools, cinemas, fitness clubs, gyms, stadia and sports grounds from tomorrow (Tuesday) until January 17^th.

Air conditioned eateries are only allowed to provide take-away services.

The restrictions are being re-imposed after the province recorded 329 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, with infections expected to increase. Cumulative infections in the province, since last April last year, are 24,462, with 193 deaths. 1,565 people are still being treated in hospitals.

It was reported that the Ekamai pub-restaurant cluster has, so far, infected 619 people, with 84 new cases being detected yesterday.

Under the order, signed by the governor in his capacity as head of the provincial communicable disease committee, all schools have been told to switch to online, on-air or on-demand teaching.

Sports competitions, such as soccer, futsal or basketball, must seek permission from the provincial communicable disease committee and may only take place on the condition that all players and other personnel take antigen tests within the 48 hours prior to the competition.