On Sunday, the Royal Gazette website posted the new coronavirus restrictions announced by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that will take effect in Bangkok, its surrounding areas, and other provinces as of Monday, June 28, 2021.
Authorities have said that the updated measures respond to the increase in COVID-19 cases logged in the capital when more contagious variants, including the Delta variant, start spreading in the country.
The partial lockdown extends to ten provinces in total, including Bangkok, its surrounding provinces, and four provinces in the deep south of Thailand. In addition to the capital, the provinces facing the new partial lockdown are Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkhla.
The announcement of the new measures comes days before Phuket’s official reopening to tourists through the Sandbox model.
Under the new Covid-19 restrictions, all construction sites in Bangkok and its adjacent areas must remain closed. Besides, health authorities said that all construction work must be halted and prohibited the movement of construction workers for at least a month.
Restaurants inside and outside shopping malls and hotels, street vendors, and convenience stores can only offer food through takeaway services.
The new CCSA measures allow shopping centers to open, but they must limit their working hours until 9:00 p.m. Moreover, entertainment venues such as theaters, cinemas, water parks, and dining areas must remain closed in July.
Authorities also authorized hotels, exhibition centers, and convention centers to open during the partial lockdown.
However, none of those venues are allowed to hold seminars, meetings, or banquets. Furthermore, activities or events with more than 20 people have been prohibited, except those that obtain permission from the officials in charge of the communicable diseases department.
The Royal Gazette announcement also said that provincial governors could order the closure of communities or venues where health officials find coronavirus infection clusters.
Besides, social gatherings or parties in areas designated by the government as restricted and highest-control were banned for 30 days unless they are related to Thai traditional ceremonies.
