jpnn.com, BANGKOK – Thailand on Sunday announced new restrictions centered around the capital in an effort to contain the country’s worst-hit COVID-19 outbreak.
The new measure, which will be implemented for 30 days starting Monday, includes a ban on eating at restaurants in the capital Bangkok and five neighboring provinces, according to a document released in Thailand’s official royal gazette.
Shopping malls in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces had to close by 9pm local time. Parties and celebrations or activities involving crowds of more than 20 people will be prohibited, the document said.
It was also stated that construction sites in the six areas and labor camps would be closed to prevent the emergence of COVID-19 clusters. The order was issued following more clusters of construction camps in the capital, which has 575 such sites housing some 81,000 workers.
Since May, 37 COVID-19 clusters have been found in camps in Bangkok.
Authorities will set up checkpoints in Bangkok and in the five provinces to restrict travel and relocate construction workers, he said, adding that checkpoints would also be set up in four southern provinces near Malaysia.
#BangkokLockdown trended on Twitter early Sunday, while netizens criticized the timing of the announcement. They admitted that they were shocked by the new step.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said Friday he wanted to avoid the term lockdown and that certain places of business and economic activity would be targeted to prevent COVID-19. (ant/dil/jpnn)
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