The CCSA has eased restrictions on business, including bars, as of February 1st in most provinces across Thailand, except for those classified as maximum controlled zones. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned, however, that tough measures may be restored in the future if the COVID-19 situation worsens.
CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said that restrictions will be eased in line with the COVID-19 situation in each province.
Under the new guidelines, eateries in maximum controlled zones, which includes Bangkok and its three neighboring provinces of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, will be allowed to operate until 11pm, but with limitations on the number of customers at each table and no alcohol may be served. Bars and karaoke bars will remain closed.
For Samut Sakhon, which is the only province classified as a maximum controlled and restricted zone, all businesses remain closed, so do schools, cram schools, all educational institutes, bars, karaoke bars, boxing rings, fitness clubs, malls, bull and cock-fighting grounds, amulet trading centres, massage parlours, Thai traditional massage parlours, spas, children’s playgrounds, amusement parks, game arcades and internet shops. Public transport terminals and banquet activities also remain closed.
Businesses which can now open include markets, with restrictions on the number of visitors and social distancing regulations enforced, shopping malls and department stores. Eateries can open until 9pm, but no alcohol may be sold. Hotels can open, but with preventive measures in place and use of a tracing app being required by all their guests.
For Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, all schools can resume classes, but the Education Ministry can arrange for students to study at home and mixed teaching, on-site, online and on air, should apply. Crowded activities are not permitted.
Banquet activities are allowed, but the number of attendees should not exceed 100, no alcohol may be served and there is to be no live music with dancing. Malls and community malls remain open as normal, but without promotional activities which will draw a large crowd. Movement of migrant workers is prohibited.
All gambling dens, cock-fighting and bull-fighting rings, massage parlours must remain closed, but traditional Thai massage parlors car reopen, but with a limited number of clients according to their size. Fitness clubs, gyms, open-door fitness grounds and boxing training gyms can reopen, including boxing rings, but without out spectators.
For the controlled, or Orange zones, eateries, bars, karaoke bars can reopen up to 11pm with the serving of alcohol permissible. Music is also permitted, but no dancing. Banquets, seminars and conferences can resume, but the number of attendees is capped at 300. Shopping malls can open as usual and people can travel across provinces without restriction.
For the high surveillance zones, restrictions are similar to those in controlled areas, but eateries can operate up to midnight. In surveillance areas, similar restrictions are applied and eateries can operate up to the limits permissible by law.
The number of controlled, or Orange zones have been increased from 11 to 20 provinces. These include Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ang Thong, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi.
The number of maximum surveillance, or Yellow zones has been reduced from 38 to 17 provinces. These include Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Phetchabun, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumpon, Surat Thani, Phang-nga, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat.
Surveillance, or Green zones now covers 35 provinces. These include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Uttradit, Phitsanuloke, Phichit, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bung Karn, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Muk Dahan, Yasothon, Kalasin, Roi-et, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Krabi, Satun, Trang, Phatthalung and Pattani.
