In view of the decrease in cases of corona infection in Thailand, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to relax strict restrictions imposed in “dark red-zone” provinces. Giving information, CCSA spokesman Dr Tawisilp Wisanuyothin said that some businesses and activities in “dark red” provinces are allowed to resume under strict measures.
- Many commercial activities, including restaurants, nail salons, tattoo shops, spas and massage parlors, gyms, cinema and live music performances, have resumed with certain conditions, but within 72 hours before people can receive services. Must be vaccinated in kind or have a negative COVID-19 test result.
- Nurseries, child development centres, public libraries, museums and learning parks/centres will reopen.
- Shopping malls, convenience stores and fresh markets can open till 9 pm.
- Cinemas have also been allowed to open with a capacity of 50%.
Spectators are allowed to sit at least one meter apart. Eating is not allowed in cinemas and wearing face making is mandatory at all times. - For live music shows in restaurants, the number of musicians is limited to three and musicians are required to wear face masks at all times except when singing
- Business operators have to adopt a “Covid-free setting” approach to ensure early protection including strict social distancing, proper air ventilation, good hygiene, and COVID-19 screening for staff members and full immunization for employees
- Trade exhibitions, convention centres, sports arcades, amusement and water parks will remain closed to avoid large gatherings
- The emergency decree, which is due to expire on September 30, will be extended for two more months until the end of November to facilitate the containment of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Giving the information, CCSA Spokesperson Dr Tawisilp Visanuyothin said that
- “The curfew remains in place but has shortened its duration. From 9 pm to 4 am, 10 pm to 4 pm has been shortened by one hour.
The emergency decree has been extended until the end of November. - Those who have been fully vaccinated will be quarantined for seven days, while the quarantine period for those arriving by air without a vaccine certificate is still 10 days.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the sandbox program is likely to be expanded to prepare the country to reopen to tourists.
He said the prime minister also asked the Ministry of Public Health to consider measures to help the local entertainment industry and folk arts community recover.
It also asked state agencies to identify and evaluate the lessons learned from the pandemic.
Thai Restaurant Association president Thaniwan Kulmongkol expressed disappointment over the measure to ease the curfew, saying an extra hour is not enough to help businesses recover.
The group wants the CCSA to allow restaurants to remain open till 10 pm instead of 9 pm.
Thai Chamber of Commerce President Sanan Angubolkul welcomed the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. He said it would restore business confidence in the fourth quarter, reflecting the readiness of the public health system to keep the outbreak under control.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce forecasts that the volume of economic activity will rise to 10-12 billion per day in October and the relaxation measures will help the economic turnaround.
He urged the public to have faith in the country’s reopening plan, saying it is a collaboration between the private and public sectors in which health security is the top priority.
Mr. Sanan said that the continued rollout of vaccines against COVID-19 coupled with lower prices of Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) will further boost trust among businesses and the general public.