BANGKOK, 19 April 2021: As Thailand’s week-long Songkran Festival holiday came to a close at the weekend, citizens braced for a string of new restrictions to curb a surge in Covid-19 infections.
In a Friday evening TV briefing, the government spelt out the new restrictions that came into effect Sunday 18 April.
However, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration emphasised it was not declaring a return to a strict nationwide lockdown or curfew.
It has banned public gatherings for two weeks to control the disease and banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants across the country.
Red zone rules
The red zone covering 18 provinces including Bangkok delivers stricter restrictions that close restaurants at 2100 for sit-in guests and 2300 for takeaways. All pubs and schools are closed for at least 14 days, while shopping malls and gyms must close at 2100. Round-the-clock convenience stores can remain open from 0400 to 2300.
18 provinces on maximum alert
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphanburi, Sa Kaeo, Rayong, and KhonKaen.
Orange zone
The same rules apply to orange zone provinces (59), but restaurants can stay open until 2300. A work-from-home order is in place across the country through to 29 April. All educational institutions move their classes online. The standing recommendation is to avoid all but essential travel between provinces. Travellers to Krabi, Trang (South Thailand) and Chang Island (east coast) must show proof of a PCR Covid-19 negative test or a vaccination certificate. Other provinces in the amber zone ask all travellers to self isolate on arrival for 14 days either at a private residence or hotel.
In related news, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued a notice effective 18 April that suspends all domestic flights from 2300 to 0400 for at least the next 14 days.
Events on hold
Public meetings of 50 people or more are prohibited for 14 days from Sunday 18 April across all red or amber zones. It impacts travel business events and even the social activities of Thailand’s Skal Clubs that have so far managed to convene their monthly lunchtime and cocktail networking without a break.
Skål International Bangkok president, Andrew Wood clarified: “In light of the current Covid-19 outbreak and the recent announcement of further government regulations our monthly networking meeting on Tuesday, 11 May, an evening cocktail event, is on hold. We will make a decision once we receive clarification that it is safe to do so and if cocktail events are allowed.”
It understood small social events and family gatherings could continue in restaurants and hotels but it is discouraged However, the sale of alcoholic drinks is prohibited under the blanket ban that will come up for review during the first week of May. A national curfew or lockdown is not on the agenda, but provincial governors can declare one if the situation deteriorates.
On Sunday the country reported 1,767 new cases while the death toll rose to 101. There are 13,568 cases hospitalised.
In related news, 510,456 persons have received the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 75,576 persons having received the second out of a population of 66 million.
