Semi-lockdown measures begin today (Tuesday) in the 16 Thai provinces newly included in the COVID-19 “Dark Red” category.
The measures, officially set to last until the end of August, but pending changes in two weeks, include a curfew between 9pm and 4am, interprovincial travel restrictions with domestic flights and other public transports suspended, a ban on dining in but eateries being allowed to open until 8pm for deliveries, with takeaways allowed at those outside shopping malls, partial openings of malls which must close at 8pm, closures of schools with only online classes allowed, closures of convenience stores and fresh markets between 8pm and 4am, and a ban on gatherings of five people and more.
The 16 provinces include Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Ang Thong.
Meanwhile, the state-owned Transport Company, which operates bus services from Bangkok to almost all provinces across the country, has suspended its services from today (Tuesday) until further notice, in line with the government’s extended lockdown restrictions and expanded “Dark Red” zone, which now includes 29 provinces.
The company’s Managing Director Sanyalak Panwattanalikhit, said that the temporary suspension order affects its entire bus service.
He said that any passengers who have bought tickets in advance can postpone their travel or ask for a refund at the ticket booths at the company’s bus terminals until the end of the year.
Passengers who booked advance tickets using their state welfare cards cannot get a refund, but can ask to postpone their travel.
Those who have questions can call the company’s 1490 call centre around the clock.
Sanyalak said, however, that the company’s parcel delivery “One Day One Night” service, remains operational from 5am to 7.30pm for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Mae Sai, Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok-Nakhon Phanom, Bangkok-Nong Khai, Bangkok-Phuket and Bangkok-Hat Yai routes.
With the complete suspension of Transport Company’s bus services, land transport by public buses has come to a standstill.
