The latest Covid restrictions

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The latest Covid restrictions

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No curfew, gatherings banned for 2 weeks

Schools closed and high-risk activities suspended as authorities try to subdue latest Covid wave

16 Apr 2021

Authorities have decided against a curfew but schools will be closed while large gatherings and other high-risk activities will be suspended for two weeks from Sunday to control the fast-spreading new Covid-19 outbreak.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) decided against a curfew because it would affect people’s incomes, especially those at the grassroots level, said spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin.

Instead, it decided to close schools and educational institutions, except international schools which had to organise examinations, he said on Friday.

Also banned are any activities where more than 50 people gather, except approved activities including those at quarantine venues.

Entertainment and service places including pubs, bars, karaoke shops and massage parlours will be closed.

The CCSA declared 18 provinces red or maximum-control zones. They are Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, Rayong, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Suphan Buri and Udon Thani.

The new rules were issued as the country reported a record 1,582 new coronavirus cases on Friday. That brought the five-day total since Monday to 6,400 — more than 50% higher than the number of infections seen nationwide in the first nine months of the outbreak last year.

In the "red" provinces, dining at restaurants is allowed until 9pm and sales of takeaway food until 11pm. “This is to keep businesses alive,” Dr Taweesilp said. However, consumption of alcoholic beverages is banned at restaurants.

Shopping centres, department stores and community malls will close at 9pm, an hour earlier than usual, and visitor numbers must be limited. They are not allowed to organise promotional events or open amusement parks and game arcades on their premises.

Convenience stores, supermarkets, flea markets and walking streets must close from 11pm to 4am.

Sports fields, exercise venues, gymnasiums and fitness clubs must close at 9pm. Sports competitions are permitted with limited numbers of spectators.

The remaining 59 provinces have been designated orange or control zones, where restaurants can open for dining and takeaway sales until 11pm. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is banned, though.

The same rules that apply to malls and department stores in red zones apply in the orange zones, but there are no restrictions at convenience stores, supermarkets, flea markets, walking streets and venues for sports and exercise.

Provincial authorities were also allowed to impose disease-control measures in their areas as they see fit.

The CCSA asked people to delay holding parties. Employers are urged to let staff work outside offices, to come in on alternate working days, or to implement other measures to reduce infection risk.

The Covid task force also ordered health, administrative and security authorities to find more locations suitable to set up field hospitals and quarantine facilities, possibly at schools, hotels, auditoriums and private properties, Dr Taweesilp said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... or-2-weeks
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No curfew but 18 provinces marked 'red' face strict measures for 14 days

Apr 16, 2021

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to not announce a curfew anywhere in the country as it will only burden and inconvenience the public.

CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said the Public Health Ministry has proposed that each province should be marked out in coloured zones and measures should be based on the intensity of the situation.

The red zone will cover 18 provinces, namely Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi (Pattaya), Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphanburi, Sa Kaew, Rayong and Khon Kaen.

The remaining 59 provinces will be considered control areas or orange zones.

These measures will be enforced from Sunday and be effective for 14 days before the situation is assessed and new measures considered. However, CCSA said, if the outbreak worsens, provincial governors can introduce stricter measures.

Measures in place for the next 14 days are:

• All schools and educational institutes will only hold online classes.

• All entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, karaoke outlets, massage parlours, etc, will be closed until further notice.

• Any gathering exceeding 50 people must seek official approval.

• All banquets or gatherings must be cancelled or postponed.

• People should avoid going outdoors and work from home as much as possible.

• Interprovincial travel is still allowed, but travellers must check measures put in place in the province of their destination.

In the red zone

• Restaurants can serve food until 9pm and provide takeaways until 11pm. No alcohol can be served.

• Department stores, flea markets, fresh markets and similar places of business can be opened until 9pm and reopen at 4am. Operators must refrain from holding any activities or promotions that encourage crowds.

• Stadiums and gyms can open until 9pm and competitions can be held without an audience.

In the orange area

• Restaurants can serve diners until 11pm, but no alcohol allowed.

• Department stores, flea markets, fresh markets and similar places of business can be opened until 9pm. Operators must refrain from holding any activities or promotions that encourage crowds.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404967
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Thai government declares new control zones and increases Covid-19 control measures nationwide, effective this Sunday

By Nop Meechukhun

16 April 2021

The Thai government has declared the highest control zones in 18 provinces, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, and the high control zones in the remaining provinces nationwide, CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin announced this afternoon, April 16th.

The so-called red zoned provinces are Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, Rayong, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Suphan Buri, and Udon Thani.

According to the announcement, all provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

Closures of classrooms and buildings at all schools and educational institutions, except for exams in international schools and for the other potential use under the requirements of the Disease Control Act
Closure of nightlife venues and entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and massage parlors, in all provinces for at least 14 days
Closure of department stores and shopping malls at 9:00 PM.
Closure of amusement parks as well as game zones, playgrounds, and similar attractions in all department stores
No teaching and learning in a classroom at all educational institutions
No large gathering and events for more than 50 people without permission from the public health provincial office
No selling alcoholic beverages in all serving places/restaurants
All restaurants must limit the number of customers according to social distancing measures and must follow social distancing restrictions strictly

Red-zoned provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

Closure of all restaurants for dining-in at 9:00 PM. Takeaway can be allowed until 11:00 PM.
Closure of supermarkets and convenience stores at 11:00 PM. These places can be reopened at 4:00 AM.
Closure of fitness centers, sports stadiums, and gyms at 9:00 PM. Competitions can be taken place but must be limited of the number of audiences according to social distancing measure
Prohibition of selling alcoholic beverages in all serving places

Orange-zoned provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

Similar to the red-zones regulations, except that the closure of all restaurants for dining-in at 11:00 PM.

All measures will be put in effect this Sunday, April 18th, and will initially last for at least two weeks, until the end of April. Despite no curfew or travel restrictions implementations, people are being highly advised to limit their movement and conduct the “Work From Home” as much as possible.

Governors can strengthen rules but not loosen them.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/04/16/thai ... is-sunday/
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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Pattaya Mayor addresses Chonburi becoming a red zone, Pattaya Music Festival postponed

By Goong Nang(GN)

16 April 2021

Chonburi province will, as of Sunday, April 18th, officially become one of 18 provinces that is designated as a red zone in Thailand, which means the highest controlled zone for Covid-19 measures.

The Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume addressed the status change and told The Pattaya News and associated Thai media this afternoon, “The number of confirmed Covid–19 cases in Chonburi is in the top five highest number of cases in the country.”

“Five rules that provinces in the red zone must follow are restaurants must close at 9:00 P.M. and serving alcohol is not allowed, the closure of all entertainment venues like bars and nightclubs which are a main feature of Pattaya City, shopping malls can open but playing zones, arcades, etc. are not allowed and the mall must close by 9:00 P.M., the closure of educational places and schools, and finally places for exercising can be opened but must limit the number of people and reduce their hours, closing at 9:00 P.M. Additionally, supermarkets and convenience stores like 7-11 must be closed between 11:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M. in red zones, effective as of Sunday, April 18th. There is no curfew, however.” The mayor stated.

“However, we are participating in meetings with the Chonburi Governor to discuss the potential for further Covid -19 measures for Chonburi. Already, we made the decision previously as a province to close cinemas. We may have to take more Covid-19 related measures to control the situation.” The mayor said, without specifically addressing what those measures might be.

“The Pattaya Music Festival scheduled for May has been postponed, the same as other similar festivals that cannot limit the number of people. We are also going to cancel the majority of the traditional Wan Lai events (Songkran) we had scheduled for April 19th as they involve pouring water on monks and the elderly and that is a risky activity at the present time. They would also involve groups of larger than 50 people which is another measure set by the Thai government to control activity in red zones.” The mayor explained.

“However, the kite on beach event from April 9th to April 19th will continue as the event is at an open place as well as the Food Culture Business Exhibition (Connext) located in front of Central Festival. Both of these events will follow strict social distancing rules and require masks at all times. As they are outdoor events with plenty of space the chance of any spread of Covid-19 is remote according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health.” The mayor concluded.

The Pattaya News notes that the Jet Ski World Cup, scheduled for next weekend, was not specifically discussed but as it is an outdoor event on Jomtien Beach in the ocean the event is likely to continue, with reduced (to no) fans and with less “street” activities.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/04/16/p ... postponed/
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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As of the time of this post there have been a few new regulations for Pattaya, but none that would be likely to affect anyone reading this board - such as school closings, video game shops, and the like.

Meanwhile, the numbers of cases are continuing to rise. Field hospitals have been set up, but now I am seeing reports of shortages of beds. If you are unfortunate enough to contract Covid while in Thailand, if you are insured for it or can pay out of pocket, I think you still can choose to be treated at private hospitals, but I'm not certain. The trick is to do everything you can to avoid getting Covid in the first place.

I hope the current measures will be effective in bringing the disease under control. I'm no expert, but some of the measures that have been imposed don't make much sense to me. However, there they are. There still is no curfew, but the current set of rules is tantamount to one. The bars are all closed, shopping and restaurants close at 9:00pm. Not much point in going out anywhere after 9:00pm. Where would there be to go? Of course, you still could have a willing young gent drop by for a little visit.

The problem, as I see it, is not another set of lost jobs and free food lines. The tourist industry never really reopened in the first place and most of the people working in the tourist industry have long since returned to their home provinces. In Pattaya I saw no significant increase in traffic even during Songkran.

The problem, in my opinion, is even if these measures succeed in bringing the current surge under control, I'm pessimistic enough to wonder if there will be yet another surge, and then another, and another, along with more dangerous strains and mutations.

In other words, I just don't think this pandemic is going away any time soon and we are still looking at a very long time before Thailand reopens - and if there will be anything much for the gay crowd to come back to.

I hope everyone has sense enough to follow all the safety rules. We've had enough deaths among the expat community lately. We don't need Covid to cause our numbers to decrease even further.


"What's always worried me about being one of the few is the way we keep on getting fewer"
- Richard Burton (Flying Officer David Campbell), 'The Longest Day'
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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In Pattaya there is now a list of the places and times where Covid was discovered. Some of these are places where you very well might have visited during the danger times.

For a complete list of these venues, see "Headline News" - https://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic ... 68#p104068

Watch the video all the way through. The list starts at minute 4 in the video.
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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Pattaya has released a second list of places and times Covid was discovered.

See the article: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/04/19/t ... -19-cases/
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

Post by jimnbkk »

My friend Som reports that there have been a few cases, including deaths, of folks in Buriram Province. To his knowledge, these are the first in that Province. I suspect they won't be the last. Som says there have been parties in homes adjacent to his lately.
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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The restrictions are quickly getting more extreme and the penalties for violating them are getting more severe. You can now be fined up to 20,000 baht for failure to wear a face mask when outside at all, even alone in your own car or motorbike. My advice - if you so much as open your door, wear a face mask.

Comply with the rules folks, whether you like them, agree with them, or not. You better believe Thailand is not going to take kindly to farang violating the restrictions in any way.
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42 Thai provinces, including Chonburi, have mask mandates-up to 20,000 baht fine for violating

By Adam Judd

24 April 2021

The following is the current list of provinces that have mask mandates in Thailand, which seems to increase on a daily basis.

Local readers in Chonburi will notice that Chonburi officially appears on the list, although in reality the mask mandate rule that the Governor put in effect last year during the first period of restrictions and closures was never rescinded. It was, however, not always enforced.

TPN media understands that Chonburi area police have been told to enforce this rule strictly now, so it is advised that if you leave your home in these provinces you wear a mask properly (not under the chin.) Technically, the law applies to everywhere outside your home, including the beach and while driving your car or motorbike alone. There does not appear to be a clause for “exercise” as a caution to be an exception to wearing a mask.

Violations of the law could see you fined up to 20,000 baht (600 USD) under Thailand’s strict emergency decree laws to control the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

The list of provinces is:

Kanchanaburi (Technically only floating markets here), Prachinburi, Phetchaburi, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Samutsakorn, Lopburi, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Chonburi (Pattaya), Saraburi, Trat (Including Koh Chang), Nonthaburi (Which also has a request to stay home from 9:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.), Surat Thani, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phangnga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Sukhothai, Tak, Phetchabun, Uttaradit, Lamphun, Yasothon, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, Chaiyaphum, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Sisaket, Surin, Udon Thani, Loei, Amnat Charoen, Buriram, and Nakhon Phanom.

This list is increasing almost daily, this article may be updated as more provinces are added.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/04/24/4 ... violating/
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Due to Covid-19, department, convenience, supermarket store hours to change in red zones in Thailand nationwide

By Adam Judd

24 April 2021

The Thai Retailers Association and Thai Shopping Center Association announced around noon today that they are adjusting their closing and opening hours nationwide to “stop the spread of Covid-19” in eighteen “highly-controlled” zones that have the strongest levels of Covid-19 restrictions.

This list, which can be found at the bottom of this article, includes Chonburi, home of Pattaya, and Bangkok. This is effective tomorrow, April 25th,2021 until at least May 2nd, 2021, or further notice. The announcement was made by Mr. Yan Phoksap, the president of the Thai Retailer’s Association. The changes are ONLY effective for highly-controlled red zones.

Here are the changes:

Department stores/Shopping malls, supermarkets, and convenience stores will close an hour earlier in highly-controlled zones. (Red zones)
• Shopping centers, department stores, shopping malls will close at 8:00 P.M. They will open at 11:00 A.M. This is one hour earlier for closing.
• Supermarkets close at 9 PM
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart, etc) will close at 10 PM. They will open at 5:00 A.M. This is a change from the current time of 11:00 P.M. to 4:00 AM.

Restaurants and supermarkets located in shopping malls can continue to operate until 9:00 P.M., but the rest of the center must close at 8:00 P.M.

Restaurants can only offer takeaway in red zones after 9:00 P.M. and must stop all delivery and take-away service by 11:00 P.M.

Additionally, Mr. Phoksap stated that all gatherings, meetings, events, etc. in shopping centers were being asked to not take place and that staff that could work at home were encouraged to do so, such as those in advertising, marketing, and operations.

Current highly controlled provinces (Red Zones)

1. Bangkok
2. Chiang Mai
3. Chon Buri
4. Samut Prakan
5. Prachuap Khiri Kan
6. Samut Sakhon
7. Pathum Thani
8. Nakhon Pathom
9. Phuket
10. Nakhon Ratchasima
11. Nonthaburi
12. Songkhla
13. Tak
14. Udon Thani
15. Suphanburi
16. Sa Kaeo
17. Rayong
18. Khon Kaen

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/04/24/d ... ationwide/
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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Another article includes the following:

"Provincial Governors will be given full power to institute harsher and tougher measures to control the Covid-19 situation, including curfews, travel restrictions, closure of businesses, and similar steps."

Full article: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/04/24/t ... -covid-19/

No curfews have been issued yet, but it certainly is looking more and more likely that curfews are coming - and probably soon.

Of course, since now virtually everything closes at 9:00pm and bars are not allowed to open at all, along with restaurants prohibited from serving alcohol, the necessity of ordering curfews seems superfluous. From where I sit, it already is a de facto curfew.
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Re: The latest Covid restrictions

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Calls for lockdown mounting

System 'close to breaking point'

25 Apr 2021

Calls are mounting for the government to impose a lockdown to restrict people's movement as the number of Covid-19 infections continued to soar.

The calls were made after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on a TV Pool broadcast on Friday that the government had no plan to lock down the country despite it logging more than 2,000 new infections on Saturday.

Eight Covid-19 deaths and a record 2,839 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 129 deaths and 53,022 infections, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Bangkok logged the highest number of new infections at 1,582 cases.

The Thoracic Society of Thailand called on the government to take drastic action to restrict the movements of people. Nithiphat Chiarakun, president of the society, said the soaring number of infections is straining the public health system as many hospitals, "hospitels" and field hospitals are teetering on the edge.

"Any efforts to overstretch the capacity of medical personnel will lead to the collapse of he public health system,'' he warned. "The government must take decisive action to stop the movement of people as much as possible to isolate infected and at-risk for treatment and reduce the number of new infections,'' Dr Nithiphat said.

The government must give weight to information from the medical profession rather than politicians, he said. Those in the healthcare sector must also make the most use of what capacity they have and try to reduce the number of patients stranded in hospitals and communities, he said.

Calls are also mounting for the government to impose a nationwide lockdown. Benjaporn Tantasuti, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, said that without law enforcement, many Thais cannot control their behaviour during the pandemic. "The situation is worsening and it is now necessary to impose a lockdown and curfew to stifle the surge of infections. The lockdown may be imposed for a brief period to curb the spread of the virus and help ease the burden on the overwhelmed healthcare system,'' she said.

Chaichana Dejdecho, a Democrat Party MP and deputy spokesman, also urged the prime minister to impose a nationwide lockdown for 15 days including restrictions on inter-provincial travel, and a curfew. The government has yet to take action because it is concerned about the economic impact, but the surging infections is now putting a strain on hospitals, Mr Chaichana said.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha admitted the latest wave of infections has reached a critical point as there are not enough medical personnel to take care of. In light of this, the ministry has asked the prime minister to tighten measures to curb the transmissions, he said.

Thiravat Hemachudha, director of the Health Science Centre of Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, posted on Facebook that the war against Covid-19 is expected to be a long, drawn-out one.

Commenting on growing calls for a lockdown, he said many infected people are asymptomatic. If a lockdown is imposed, an asymptomatic person who fails to isolate himself from others in a house will spread the disease. When the lockdown is lifted and if those infected people in the house are also asymptomatic, they will spread the virus to many others, Dr Thiravat said.

Gen Prayut said on his Facebook on Saturday he has allowed provincial governors to consider imposing curfews in some areas. Provincial governors have the authority to tighten disease control measures and close premises in addition to any closures ordered by the government. If the pandemic worsens, the 14-day quarantine period for asymptomatic patients treated at hospitals may be reduced to 10 days so they can be self-quarantined at home with a tracking system.

The Thai Retailers Association (TRA) said hours of shopping malls, supermarkets and convenience stores will be shortened further in 18 red-zone provinces including Bangkok.

Starting from Sunday, malls and community malls in the 18 provinces will be open from 11am to 8pm; supermarkets and food courts must close at 9pm, and convenience stores must close from 10pm to 5am. The change will last until May 2.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Saturday announced 31 types of business venues at risk of Covid-19 infections will come under lockdown for 14 days from tomorrow, according to the Morlab Panda Facebook page. They include cinemas, water parks, boxing stadiums and museums.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-mounting
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