Thirty-two provinces, in which no new infections have been reported in the last fortnight, will be the first where lockdown restrictions will be eased in early May, according to a proposal to be submitted to the CCSA later this week by the Ministry of Public Health.
Dr. Kamnuan Oengchusak, an advisor to Thailand’s public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, said today that a meeting of doctors, chaired by the Minister, agreed that some restrictions should be eased to allow people to return to work and some businesses to reopen, with the exception of the those arriving from abroad, who will still be subject to 14-quarantine in state facilities.
Even if some restrictions are relaxed, he said that social distancing and the wearing of face masks outdoors are still a must for everyone.
The first group of to see lockdown restrictions eased are likely to be:
Nan
Kamphaeng Phet
Phichit
Sing Buri
Ang Thong
Chainat
Bung Karn
Trat Ranong
Chanthaburi
Phetchabun
Phrae
Maha Sarakham
Muk Dahan
Yasothon
Roi-et
Sukhothai
Uthai Thani
Kalasin
Chaiyaphum
Nakhon Nayok
Nakhon Phanom
Phang-nga
Sakhon Nakhon
Satun
Nong Bua Lamphu
Amnat Charoen
Udon Thani
Phitsanuloke
Mae Hong Son
Lop Buri
Saraburi
Dr. Kamnuan said that risk factors will be used to determine which businesses can reopen, adding that entertainment venues, like pubs, bars, karaoke halls, massage parlours and boxing stadia, will remain closed. Shopping malls, he said, are classified as medium risk and are required to undertake temperature screening at the entrance, social distancing and promotional activities are banned.
Public Parks can reopen, but social distancing must be observed, while schools which, are due to reopen in July, must make some seating adjustments, said Dr. Kamnuan.
38 other provinces, which have reported few new infections in the past two weeks, will be the next to see restrictions relaxed, tentatively in mid-May. They include:
Chachoengsao
Pathum Thani
Chiang Mai
Narathiwat
Krabi
Kanchanaburi
Khon Kaen
Chumpon
Chiang Rai
Trang
Tak
Nakhon Pathom
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Sawan
Buri Ram
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Prachin Buri
Ayutthaya
Phayao
Phatthalung
Phetchaburi
Rayong
Ratchaburi
Lampang
Lamphun
Loei
Si Sa Ket
Songkhla
Samut Songkhram
Samut Sakhon
Sa Kaeo
Suphan Buri
Surat Thani
Surin
Nong Khai
Uttradit
Ubon Ratchathani
The last group of seven provinces, including Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Phuket, Samut Prakan, Pattani and Yala, which have high infection rates, will tentatively see lockdown measures eased in June, but extreme caution must be exercised to prevent a re-emergence of the disease, said Dr. Kamnuan.
Restrictions could be eased in 32 provinces with no new infections for 2 weeks – Thai PBS World