Entertainment venue cluster spreads to nine provinces - Thai PBS World Tonight [6th April 2021]

The CCSA assistant spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said that a CCSA subcommittee has proposed a three-step measure to control the spread of COVID-19 related to entertainment venues.

Firstly, if an infection is found in any entertainment venue, it must be closed immediately for at least two weeks.

Secondly, if infections are found in more than one venue in a single area, such as Thonglor, all venues in the zone will be closed for at least a fortnight and, finally, if infections are found in more than one area in a province, the provincial governor is empowered to close all entertainment venues in that province.

However, the measures are yet to be approved by the CCSA, headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The three-step measure came after a cluster of infections from entertainment venues in Thonglor and other areas, have spread through nine provinces; Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Loei, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Samut Songkhram, Sa Kaeo, and Chumphon.

Previously, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department revealed that the new cluster originated from an entertainment venue in Pathum Thani province and was then spread to other such venues in Bangkok by patrons, musicians and pub employees, who frequently work in more than one venue.

He also noted that poor ventilation in pubs and lax enforcement of face mask wearing and social distancing also contribute to the spread of the virus.