Restrictions may be eased at some Bangkok camps to allow essential work to continue

Tough restrictions on movement at construction camps in Bangkok may be eased slightly to allow essential work to go ahead. Natthapol Nakpanich from the National Security Council says officials discussed the issue at a meeting yesterday, noting that the suspension of some works could pose a risk for engineering reasons or by delaying hospital builds. For this reason, construction work that is considered essential may be allowed to resume.

The Bangkok Post reports that the CCSA will review the situation every 15 days with a view to easing restrictions further. Natthapol has hit back at criticism of officials who left it until 1am on Sunday to announce the new restrictions planned for Bangkok and other central provinces, with restaurant operators saying they were given no time to prepare. The NSC chief’s explanation was that the timing of the announcement was due to officials working around the clock.

The CCSA has also been slammed for announcing the restrictions that were planned for construction camps long before they were put in place, thereby giving workers time to flee the sites in question. A number of workers were caught attempting to escape the month-long lockdown and were returned to their camps.

Natthapol has defended the CCSA’s actions, saying talks had been held earlier with construction companies and restaurants and the restrictions explained to them prior to any announcements being made. He has apologised for any inconvenience, blaming poor communication. He adds that while officials were reluctant to introduce harsh restrictions, they had to act on the advice of medical experts.

The new restrictions introduced on Monday will be in effect for 30 days, with restaurants in Bangkok and surrounding provinces banned from offering in-house dining and bubble and seal measures implemented at factories and migrant worker camps.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post