CONFIRMED: Increased restrictions for 28 provinces now approved by PM

[Jonathan Fairfield]

CONFIRMED: Increased restrictions for 28 provinces now approved by PM

 

 

A new set of measures in 28 provinces in Thailand aimed at containing the new wave of coronavirus infections are now in effect after being approved by the Prime Minister and published in the Royal Gazette late on Sunday.

 

The measures include restrictions on cross provincial travel, the closure of schools and educational institutions and a ban on serving alcohol in restaurants. Buildings or premises that are deemed high risk of spreading the virus, such as fitness centres or spas, will also have to close.

 

People who live in the 28 provinces (listed below) now deemed ‘red zones’ are advised to not travel to other provinces unless absolutely necessary. Anyone travelling across provinces must show proof of why they are travelling. 

 

Bars and pubs are ordered to close, restaurants can remain open but are not allowed to serve alcohol.

 

Businesses must tell staff to work from home, where possible, alternatively they can ask staff to work staggered hours or alternative days. 

 

It is not immediately clear if beaches can remain open.

 

The new measures also give provincial governors the power to impose their own restrictions and can close any premises or businesses that they deem necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. Therefore, the restrictions may differ slightly from province to province. 

 

However, shopping malls, markets, supermarkets and community malls can remain open but strict screening and disease control measures must be in place. 

 

Provinces now in the highly controlled’ (red) zone:

 

Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chumphon, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachinburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sakeao, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Singburi, Suphanburi, Tak and Trat.

 

New COVID-19 restrictions summary

 

• No cross provincial travel unless absolutely necessary
• Schools closed
• Bars, pubs closed
• Venues at risk of spreading virus - gyms, spas etc closed
• Restaurants can open for dine in, but not allowed to serve alcohol
• Work from home where possible
• Shopping malls, supermarkets can remain open
• Immigration offices remain open
• Provincial governors can also impose their own restrictions

 

This is a developing news story. This post may be updated without notice

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-04

 

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[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Buildings or premises that are deemed high risk of spreading the virus, such as fitness centres or spas, will also have to close.

However, the Government offices such as immigration are left opened and will be crowded after the long holiday week and weekend, and not just at CW but at the outlying immigration locations where the 4 border countries need to apply for their visas or do 90 day reports.  Silly really.

[Kaopad999]

Certainly a very sensible choice.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Kaopad999

[Irrumator]

Looks like my paid-for birthday trip to Koh Lanta at the end of the month is off.  ???? 

 

The flight was already delayed from last July and I think will be OK, but I hope I can get the hotel and car hire fees refunded ...

[Kaopad999]

Just now, Irrumator said:

Looks like my paid-for birthday trip to Koh Lanta at the end of the month is off.  ???? 

 

The flight was already delayed from last July and I think will be OK, but I hope I can get the hotel and car hire fees refunded ...

Yep, you can forget that most likely, Hope you manage get your money back though!

[darksidedog]

26 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Provincial governors can also impose their own restrictions

Lets hope they don't try to outdo each other like they did last time.

[tonray]

So if I take the purple line MRT from my home in Nonthaburi...and I try to get on the blue line train at Taopoon...are they going to ask to see my 'papers' ?

 

The virus really doesn't care anything about provincial borders...a more sensible edict would be to request people to stay in their homes for 2 weeks only going out for food once a week or emergency medical care.

Edited January 4, 2021 by tonray

[Kaopad999]

Once they discover Covid cases in all of the other provinces across Thailand , i'm sure there will be a nationwide lockdown within the next few days. 
Once that happens, we will then see Alcohol bans as well. Maybe a good time to stock up for those who like a drink? 

[bunnydrops]

Restaurants can open for dine in, but not allowed to serve alcohol

 

I don't understand that one. Alcohol is what I use to kill the virus:)

[soi3eddie]

10 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

Once they discover Covid cases in all of the other provinces across Thailand , i'm sure there will be a nationwide lockdown within the next few days. 
Once that happens, we will then see Alcohol bans as well. Maybe a good time to stock up for those who like a drink? 

 

Don't forget the curfew too for good measure...

 

[petermik]

25 minutes ago, Irrumator said:

Looks like my paid-for birthday trip to Koh Lanta at the end of the month is off.  ???? 

 

 

Koh Lanta is a bit of a dump,so you won't be missing anything...????

[phetphet]

Although it  will  be deadly for  businesses, a nationwide two -three week lockdown is probably the only thing that might bring this back under control. Otherwise some people will just go to the non -restricted areas to avoid their local lockdowns. 

 

Don't forget  it is New year and also holiday season for many.

[mtls2005]

52 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

No cross provincial travel unless absolutely necessary

 

Will be instersting to see what this means in practice.

 

 

 

[bkk6060]

Before this is all over we will wish it was 2020 again.

[bino]

I am expecting that the number of cases will explode nationwide over the next two weeks, caused by the sheer number of people who traveled to gatherings and parties with family and loved ones over the New Year, with little regard for social distancing.

 

Expect tougher restrictions and more lockdowns coming soon. I'm imposing them on myself already.

[tonray]

8 minutes ago, bino said:

I am expecting that the number of cases will explode nationwide over the next two weeks, caused by the sheer number of people who traveled to gatherings and parties with family and loved ones over the New Year, with little regard for social distancing.

 

Expect tougher restrictions and more lockdowns coming soon. I'm imposing them on myself already.

Same here...taking a grab to Big-C to get some food and then back home to my self isolation....sigh and then cutting the grass

[Yorkshire Tea]

Schools in Chiang Mai closed voluntarily due to the hysteria.

[Enzian]

18 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Before this is all over we will wish it was 2020 again.

I already do.

[Bender Rodriguez]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Bars and pubs are ordered to close, restaurants can remain open but are not allowed to serve alcohol.

 

where do they get this kind of ideas

 

drinking a beer will increase your chances to get corona ?

[cyril sneer]

why the ban on alcohol in restaurants again?

 

is it still relating to that 3am nightclub incident where people shared a drink on the dancefloor?

[cyril sneer]

1 minute ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

 

where do they get this kind of ideas

 

drinking a beer will increase your chances to get corona ?

yes

 

not just beer, that one glass of red wine people use to enjoy with their dinner too

[ThailandRyan]

9 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

yes

 

not just beer, that one glass of red wine people use to enjoy with their dinner too

They believe everyone shares the same bottle or glass apparently.

[Kaopad999]

17 minutes ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

 

where do they get this kind of ideas

 

drinking a beer will increase your chances to get corona ?

They want to limit drinking so that people are less likely to gather in larger groups. Also from a health point of view, drinking is known to lower the immune system. 

Edited January 4, 2021 by Kaopad999

[Kaopad999]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Before this is all over we will wish it was 2020 again.

I agree. This is going to be an extremely tough year for many! 

Edited January 4, 2021 by Kaopad999

[Smilermike]

Why on earth didn't the stop travel before Xmas. Totally irresponsible. 

[WhatsNext]

Strange i am in Hua Hin (Prachuap) and in the red zone although according to the CCSA there are zero cases here.

I am guessing it's to stop the tourists from Bangkok coming in the weekend, let's see if people from neighboring Cha Am which is in a different province can still come shopping here.

[spiekerjozef]

1 hour ago, tonray said:

a more sensible edict would be to request people to stay in their homes for 2 weeks only going out for food once a week or emergency medical care.

and that really worked well in the UK and Europe.....

[tonray]

1 minute ago, spiekerjozef said:

and that really worked well in the UK and Europe.....

It did work...what didn't work was people who railed against being told what to do and ignored the lockdown

[spiekerjozef]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

Restaurants can open for dine in, but not allowed to serve alcohol

 

I don't understand that one. Alcohol is what I use to kill the virus

If you make sure your body contains 70% of alcohol you should be alright..

[spiekerjozef]

3 minutes ago, tonray said:

It did work...what didn't work was people who railed against being told what to do and ignored the lockdown

So it didn't work. The Rave-party in France worked well...