New restrictions are to be imposed across Thailand, from Sunday, for a minimum of 14 days, to contain the rapid spread of the third wave of COVID-19 infections.
As endorsed by the CCSA today, Thailand will now be divided into just Red and Orange zones, in accordance with the COVID-19 situation in each of the country’s 77 provinces, due to the worsening COVID situation.
Tighter controls will be imposed in the Red zones, which now cover 18 provinces, said CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.
The Red zone provinces are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphan Buri, Sa Kaew, Rayong and Khon Kaen.
The restrictions to be imposed in the Red Zones are:
- All eateries must close at 9pm for dine-in customers, but take-home services are permitted until 11pm. No alcoholic drink may be sold.
- All shopping malls, community shopping malls or other similar businesses may remain open until 9pm with a limit to be imposed on the number of customers at one time and no sales promotion activities.
- Convenience stores, super markets, night markets and walking streets can stay open until 11pm.
- Fitness clubs, sport stadia and gyms can stay open until 9pm.
- Competitive events may be held with a limited number of spectators.
The remaining 59 provinces have been classified as Orange zones. Restrictions include:
- All eateries can stay open until 11pm, but no alcoholic drink may be served.
- Shopping malls, including community shopping malls, can stay open until 9pm with limits on the number of customers at one time and no sales promotion activities.
- Members of the public are asked not to hold private parties or entertainment events.
All activities with more than 50 attendees are banned in both Red and Orange zones, unless prior permission has been granted by the provincial communicable disease committee.
Governors are empowered to close bars, pubs, karaoke bars, massage parlours and similar businesses for a minimum of 14 days.
Dr. Taweesin said that the CCSA subcommittee will advise the prime minister whether any more controls are needed.
