Easing the Grip: Thailand Government Eases COVD-19 Restrictions

The current administration has loosened up several Covid-19 rules, allowing restaurants to remain open until 11 p.m., and decreased the number of provinces labeled “dark-red zone” to four.

Bangkok and three neighboring provinces — Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani — will continue to be designated as a dark-red zone with full and tight Covid-19 regulations after the plan to lift certain restrictions comes into effect Monday.

Furthermore, Samut Sakhon will enter with other provinces as “red zones” subject to the strictest Covid-19 restrictions. These are:

Yala
Saraburi
Chachoengsao
Trang
Songkhla
Chon Buri
Narathiwat
Songkhla
Pattani
Phetchaburi
Saraburi
Nakhon Pathom

Orange Zones includes:

Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chanthaburi
Samut Songkhram
Sa Kaeo
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Ayutthaya
Sa Kaeo Ranong
Rayong
Ratchaburi

Thailand’s remaining provinces that are not mentioned above are designated as yellow zones subject to Covid-19 monitoring.

According to Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the zoning adjustment and loosened restrictions would take place on Monday.

Dr. Taweesilp stated that residents in dark-red zones might conduct activities with a maximum of 50 people. At the same time, indoor restaurants may serve dining-in clients at a total of 50% capacity till 11 p.m. Alcohol sales and use are restricted on the premises, he noted.

Department stores and shopping malls may remain open until 9 p.m. in dark-red zones, adding that well-ventilated sports facilities and outdoor sports grounds may remain open without visitors. However, he confirmed that schools would remain closed.

Individuals in red zones may organize activities for a maximum of 100 people, whereas restaurants are not restricted in terms of dine-in clients and may remain open until 11 p.m., Dr. Taweesilp explained. Alcohol sales and use are still prohibited on the premises, he stated.

He explained that retail malls and department stores may generally operate in red zones but are forbidden from holding sales promotions, whereas schools usually operate. On the other hand, sports facilities can be used until 9 p.m. with a limited number of spectators, he explained.

Orange zones restrict activities to 150 persons, whereas restaurants can operate normally but without the sale or use of alcohol.   Shopping malls, department stores, and schools may resume normal operations, he stated. He added that sports facilities might open with a limited number of spectators.

While activities in yellow zones must be limited to 200 persons, department stores, shopping centres, schools, and restaurants may continue to operate normally, Dr. Taweesilp explained. He added that sports facilities could open with a limited number of spectators.

Outside of their houses, residents in all zones are obliged to use a face mask, he said, emphasizing that night activity pubs and clubs will stay closed.

Dr. Taweesilp added that the CCSA also lifted restrictions on television programs and the creation of movies.   According to the CCSA’s requirements, he explained that television and film personnel must get authorization from officials to use locations. Additionally, they must adhere to local disease management procedures, he stated.

Staff and all participating are subject to RT–PCR testing 72 hours prior to production start, according to a CCSA representative. Additionally, they must offer seven-day advance notice of scheduled activities, he said.

The team would have a maximum of 50 members.   Audience and team members should strictly adhere to DMHTT guidelines, which include social distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, temperature checking, and the use of the Thai Chana app.

He added that the requirement to wear a mask would not apply to actors or participants, noting that tv show participants would be permitted to remove their face masks individually.

Newscasters must install dividers and maintain a minimum distance of two meters between themselves. The face mask requirement applies to shows conducted in public areas, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post