Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

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Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by ceejay »

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNokAlZr4Hw ... ufb350v6bu
According to the Thai PBS Instagram page, lockdowns are upcoming for Bangkok plus Chiang Mai and Chonburi provinces.
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Gaybutton »

Considering the current rise in Covid cases, I've been expecting lockdowns. I just hope it's not a case of too little, too late. The fact that no national travel restrictions were imposed for the Songkran holiday, and so many people traveling to visit their families, not to mention all those people having to return home again - it seems to me a major surge is inevitable.
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Gaybutton »

This morning's news - Thursday, April 15 - is dominated with reports about proposed lockdowns. That means some sort of lockdown is imminent. Malls and shops are being "asked" to close by 9:00pm until further notice. So far I have been unable to find anything specific. I don't know whether that includes grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. I suppose we'll know soon enough. As you know, the bars are already closed.

Until we know more, I suggest planning on anywhere you might want to go is going to close at 9:00pm.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Partial lockdown on the table

More curbs planned for red-zone areas

15 Apr 2021

The government is discussing the possibility of imposing a partial lockdown in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan as well as Chonburi while heightening Covid-19 control measures in outbreak red-zone areas, as the number of new Covid-19 cases hit a new record high on Wednesday.

The partial lockdown proposal was discussed on Wednesday, said Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, secretary-general of the National Security Council, in his capacity as chairman of a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) sub-committee.

However, the sub-committee will have to discuss the lockdown and other proposals with Public Health Ministry further today, Gen Natthapon said, before adding the decision will be based mainly on opinions from health authorities.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will convene a CCSA meeting tomorrow afternoon. The meeting, to be held via teleconference, is expected to discuss the strengthening of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, as well as the partial lockdown proposal, according to a source.

Gen Natthapon said strict controls on certain activities in areas considered at risk of a Covid-19 outbreak should still be sufficient, as the Covid-19 outbreak situation still was "under control".

The premier emphasised that all parties must be aware of the need to avoid engaging in activities which could bring about stricter Covid-19 control measures on the public, said Gen Natthapon.

The government reported 1,335 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest increase in daily infections since the outbreak emerged in Thailand early last year.

The CCSA said only nine were found among arrivals from overseas.

The total number of confirmed cases currently stands at 35,910, while the death toll remains unchanged at 97.

The CCSA is now concerned about the possibility of more Covid-19 clusters emerging in other areas, as there are still carriers linked to previous outbreaks who are still travelling, said Gen Natthapon.

He insisted the government has prepared sufficient field hospitals to accommodate all infected people.

More restrictions on certain types of businesses, including restaurants, shopping malls and gyms will be discussed at today's meeting between the CCSA sub-committee and the ministry, said a source.

Several more areas will possibly be declared outbreak red zones, while certain activities that normally bring people together, such as group exercises and restaurant dining, will likely be restricted, said Gen Natthapon.

More Covid-19 restrictions are expected in one or two days when health authorities finish their investigation into the current wave of Covid-19 and advise the government as to what restrictions are actually needed, he said.

"Restaurants might have to close sooner while fitness centres will likely have to limit the number of their patrons at any given time or suspend activities which the ministry considers a Covid-19 risk," he said.

Personally, he said, he thought since entertainment venues were found to be the primary sources of new infections, other businesses such as department stores shouldn't be shut down.

Shopping malls may have to cut their opening hours and suspend certain activities that draw many people, such as music performances or sales promotion events, he said.

In the wake of the surging Covid-19 infections, Gen Prayut has ordered every government organisation to heighten its Covid-19 control measures, including setting up more field hospitals and accelerating Covid-19 vaccination, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

Authorities also remarked on the vaccination programme. Citing the government vaccination plan for this month, he said an additional 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be distributed to all 77 provinces, with priority given to provinces with a critical outbreak situation.

A total of 599,800 doses have been set aside for front-line medical and healthcare personnel

Another 100,000 doses have been allocated for the outbreak red zones, 147,200 doses for people with an underlying health condition, 54,320 doses for front-line security officers and the rest for emergency use.

As of Tuesday, 579,305 Covid-19 vaccine shots had been administered to 505,744 people, with 73,561 having received two shots, Mr Anucha said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -the-table
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Daleinpattaya »

As an aside .... from this past midnight.... Phnom Penh is on "total" lockdown.
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Gaybutton »

Daleinpattaya wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:03 am Phnom Penh is on "total" lockdown.
I am expecting the same thing in Thailand, possibly as soon as later today, but for sure some sort of announcement by the end of the day Friday.

Of course, right now it's anybody's guess as to what Thailand is going to do and what the new restrictions will be or how long they will be in place, but rest assured Thailand is going to do something.

My advice - if you are in Thailand, get where you need to be now, and stay there, before you find out you're stuck somewhere. Personally, if I have to be stuck, I'd much rather be stuck in my own home than stuck somewhere else.
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Gaybutton »

New Pattaya Covid restrictions due this week

By Barry Kenyon

April 15, 2021

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to announce this weekend the latest anti-virus measures in outbreak provinces such as Bangkok and Chonburi. At the moment Pattaya has experienced a closure order only on bars, clubs, karaokes, cinemas and theatres.

There are several ambiguities, such as massage parlours where “soapies” are banned whilst “traditional” health rubs are still permitted. Some bars have sought mischievously to turn themselves into restaurants by (illegally) changing their name, or by allowing group boozing for hours whilst customers take the occasional bite of a chip butty.

There are some clues to the likely new order. General Nathapon Nakpanich, chairman of the main government Covid sub-committee, suggested that restaurants might need to close earlier whilst group activities in fitness centres and snooker halls could be scrutinized. He added that the main culprits in the recent surge were entertainment venues responsible for spreading the disease. The Thai Retailers Association has already recommended malls to close at 9 pm.

To date, the Chonburi provincial governor has not restricted movement in and out, whilst Pattaya City Hall has done its best to protect domestic tourism by leaving beaches open and being tolerant about people assembling in small groups. But the local Roman Catholic Church has ended the celebration of mass until further notice.

The most severe lockdown was last April when all leisure venues and in-dine restaurants were closed. For a time it was illegal even to purchase alcohol in stores and all booze consumption outdoors was banned. Various travel restrictions were imposed – initially even crossing from Pattaya City to the so-called Dark Side required a travel pass – and inter-provincial public transport was halted. Any group activity involving more than four people was outlawed which at first closed golf courses, quizzes, swimming pools and bridge clubs.

This time, however, the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) says that further measures need to be targeted rather than imposed will-nilly. A national lockdown is unlikely, but partial travel restrictions may be imposed, or left to the judgment of provincial governors. A ban on restaurants serving alcohol to customers is regarded as more likely than a total exclusion of in-dining at this stage.

The government is expected to encourage the police to crack down forcibly on illegal activities, especially unlawful drinking dens and amateur casinos. Bars posing as restaurants have already been warned that they are breaking the law. Also expected to be active in coming weeks is the Nai Amphur, the civilian licensing officer, who has broad discretion in supervising licensed premises and businesses of all descriptions. Officers from his Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) frequently accompany law enforcers on midnight raids against naughty party-goers. Hotline numbers to report Covid crimes are set to be re-introduced in our informer-friendly society.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... eek-351224
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Re: Lockdowns for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok

Post by Gaybutton »

Shorter restaurant hours, school closures on cards

15 Apr 2021

NONTHABURI: The National Communicable Disease Committee has proposed shorter restaurant hours and school and amusement park closures until the end of this month to contain the spread of Covid-19, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

After the committee's meeting at​ the​ Public​ Health​ Ministry​ on Thursday, Mr Anutin said the committee planned to declare all provinces either red or orange Covid-19 control zones.

The red zone will cover 18 provinces — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphan Buri, Sa Kaeo, Rayong and Khon Kaen.

The remaining 59 provinces will be in the orange zone.

Restaurants will be closed at 9pm in red provinces and 11pm in orange ones.

In all provinces, restaurants will be banned from selling alcoholic drinks. Schools, amusement parks, including those at shopping centres, and entertainment places will be closed. Parties and any activities with more than 50 people will be prohibited. Families' parties are still allowed.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration would consider the proposal on Friday, Mr Anutin said.

"All parties are expected to cooperate. The cycle of a new wave and disease control will take about two weeks," he said.

Mr Anutin also encouraged people and employers to support the work-from-home practice to reduce people's movements after the Songkran festival. Besides, he urged everyone to wear face masks which he said were the best way to control Covid-19.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... s-on-cards
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