Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Thai PM concerned about “second wave” of virus when Thailand’s nightlife resumes
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced his concerns about the re-opening the country’s bars, clubs, and other nightlife that may lead to a second wave of the Covid-19 virus. It’s currently proposed, but not finalised, that Phase 5 easing of restrictions would allow pubs, bars, and other entertainment venues to re-open from July 1. The precise guidelines imposed on re-opening venues are still being worked out.
There have been ‘outbreaks’ or spikes in entertainment zones in both Seoul and Tokyo over the past month, which is making the government wary about re-opening their own entertainment businesses.
But Thailand has now gone more than a month without a locally transmitted case, with only repatriated Thais in state quarantine testing positive during that period.
The PM says he fully sympathises with business owners and workers who have lost their jobs as a result of tough lock-down measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. However, he says that certain businesses are more high-risk than others, and additional safety measures are required. He adds that while the country is open for domestic tourists, careful consideration must be given to which foreign visitors may be allowed in and when.
PM Prayut is calling on businesses that can allow their employees to work from home to continue to do so, not only to continue the battle against Covid-19, but to ease congestion in busy areas, with traffic set to worsen once schools reopen from July 1. It’s likely that the emergency decree, which was due to expire at the end of this month, will be extended until August, with the PM insisting the motive for doing so is not political, but rather to continue keeping the country safe.
SOURCE: Thai Visa
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Glenn
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 10:59 am
“Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced his concerns about the reopening the country’s bars, clubs, and other nightlife that may lead to a second wave of the Covid-19 virus”
corrected to read correctly;
“Thai PM has voiced his concerns about the reopening the country’s bars, clubs, and other nightlife that may lead to a loss of control and heavy handed authoritarian dictatorial rule”
Kevin Martyn
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:15 am
I actually agree with pm on this however why not allow them to open until 23:00 Pm on Friday’s, Mondays and Wednesdays only! see what happens after 30 days. If increase with Covid seen close down for another 30 days. Open again but for only 2 days if an increase is again close for 60 days….etc etc
Pedro
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Kevin, people have been congregating in restaurants and outdoor eating places like Soi 88 in Hua Hin, and still no domestic cases of covid for over a month. As these are the same people who would go to bars. Where is the covid going to come from? It does not move itself, only people move it and they have not done so in the last month. The cure is becoming worse than the illness right now.
paul scott
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:19 am
I agree generally with the concerns Glenn make about an authoritarian rule. His outlook though is
narrow and biased. This is a globalist attack, and to not realise that is simplistic. Thailand has absurdly embraced the absurdist Nw Normal and will sink into a long depression without tourist income.
Pedro
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Whilst I understand the need for caution, with no domestic covid for over a month, where will it come from in opening the bars? These are the same people who go to work in the day time, go shopping, and do everything else. People are congregating in lunch spots and dinner areas just the same as a bar. Glenn might have a point.