In the wake of the second wave of Coronavirus outbreak in Thailand, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has issued a set of new restrictions which will be effective on Monday 4th January where strict restrictions will be imposed upon 28 red zone provinces including Bangkok.
The restrictions are as follows:
1. A Ban on the usage of building or place at risk of transmitting the coronavirus. Usage of buildings or locations of all type of schools and educational institutions located in the red zones with high number of participants is strictly prohibited except:
A: Learning/Teaching via long-distance communication or by electronic means.
B: Usage of building or place to provide assistance/aids/fostering or support of a person
C: Organization of official activities or activities for public benefit with permission from the Governor of Bangkok or the Governor of said City.
D: Being a small school or educational institution with the number of students not exceeding 120 people in total or a border patrol police school.”
2. Prohibition of activities with a high risk of transmission of the coronavirus. It is forbidden to organize activities in red zone areas with a large number of participants and has easy contact with each other such as meetings, seminars, catering, or food distribution unless performed by competent officials or authorized by one.
3. Closing of location with a high risk of transmission of the coronavirus, in establishments such as pubs, karaoke bars, or other similar service providing establishments that are in the red zone area.
4. Restaurants or similar establishments in red zones area can be open as long as they follow the following regulations:
A: Establishments that distribute food or drinks must limit the number of sit-in customers and any other customers are to order take-away, the number of sit-in customers available in each restaurant is to be determined by each provincial area as they see fit.
B: Sales of liquor for shops, buildings, or places that sell liquor are to prohibit the consumption of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in the store.
C: Department stores, Shopping centers, community mall exhibition centers, convenience stores, or other similar establishments are to be opened at the normal time of said place under strict preventive measures prescribed by the government.
5. Governor of Red Zone areas may consider taking further action under the Communicable Disease Act to order the closure, limit, or prohibition of area, place, or vehicle as they see fit to contain any further outbreak of coronavirus in red zone areas.
6. Screening for cross-provincial travel will be overseen by government officials and the travel of people from red zone areas are to be overseen on a case by case basis in order to determine the suitability of the situation. People shall refrain or postpone their journey across the provincial area unless there is a necessity that shows reason and evidence. Anyone who wishes to travel between provinces must comply with governmental disease prevention measures.
7. The government asks for the cooperation of private entrepreneurs to consider adjusting the operating patterns during this period. Off-site working or alternating working days are recommended to reduce the number of workers contacting each other and reduce the amount of traveling needed in order to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus in Thailand.
8. Ad Hoc committee shall consider loosening the enforcement of measures to prevent and stop the Coronavirus 2019(COVID-19) and consider allowing relaxation or tightening measures to any other additional places, businesses, or activities with the Prime Minister according to the situation.
