Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Governor Pongrat Phiromrat is seeking cooperation from people in the north-eastern Thai province by not leaving their home or lodgings between 11pm and 4am, as the province steps up measures to contain a surge in COVID-19 infections.

The voluntary curfew came into effect today (Saturday) and will remain until further notice.

The governor said that only people engaged in medical services, delivery of consumer food, farm products, animal feed, petrol, printing materials, construction materials, construction equipment, postal services, medical equipment, rescue and emergency services, ambulances, delivery trucks of commercial banks, officials on duty, public transport passengers and people working should be out during the curfew.

The provincial administration also imposed a lockdown on several villages in Na Yai and Nam Khun districts, namely the Rak Thai community in Na Yai sub-district, Ban Non Sawang, Ban Samyaek Wang Sua, Ban Sawang Arom and Ban Sawang Sukkasem in Paibul sub-district in Nam Chun district, from today until January 21st.

Only those who have necessary business will be allowed to leave, but with permission from health officials.

Meanwhile, in the northern province of Chiang Mai, Governor Prachon Prachsakul issued an order yesterday (Friday), of the provincial communicable disease committee, temporarily closing 23 eateries for between 3 and 14 days, effective yesterday, as they are being blamed for recent COVID-19 clusters of infections.

According to the order, these eateries will be allowed to resume business only after they have complied with safety measures, which include negative antigen test results of all their employees and musicians and further testing every three days. Sections which are air-conditioned or closed-in without air ventilation will not be allowed to reopen.

Those who are regarded as being of high risk but test negative and those considered as low risk are also to be isolated for seven days.

Violators will be liable to imprisonment of not more than one year and/or a fine of not exceeding 100,000 baht on conviction.