BANGKOK – Thailand on Sunday announced new restrictions centered around its capital in a bid to tackle the nation’s worst coronavirus outbreak.
The new measures, which will be implemented for 30 days from Monday, include a ban on restaurant dine-ins in Bangkok, the capital, and 5 surrounding provinces, according to a document published within the nation’s royal gazette.
Shopping malls in Bangkok and the 5 provinces must be closed by 9 p.m., and parties or celebrations, or activities involving a gathering of more than 20 individuals will be banned for the same duration, the document mentioned.
It also mentioned construction sites within the six areas will be shut down and workers’ camps will be sealed off to contain clusters. The order followed the emergence of more clusters in construction camps within the capital, which has 575 such sites housing about 81,000 workers.
Since May, 37 clusters have been found in Bangkok camps.
Authorities will set up checkpoints in Bangkok and the 5 provinces to limit travel and relocation of construction staff, the document mentioned, adding that there will also be checkpoints within the nation’s 4 southern provinces near Malaysia.
#BangkokLockdown was trending on Twitter within the early hours into Sunday, with internet users criticizing the timing of the announcement and saying they were taken by surprise by the new measures.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha mentioned on Friday he wanted to avoid the word lockdown and that specific businesses and activities would be targeted to contain the virus.
