Bangkok

Bangkok entertainment venues hit with temporary closure order amid rise in cases

Published

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 09:47

PHOTO: Braden Jarvis on Unsplash

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has ordered all entertainment venues in the capital to close until January 4, with the exception of bars and restaurants serving food and drinks. The establishments affected by the closure order include hostess bars, horseracing venues, cockfighting arenas, and massage parlours. Pubs and restaurants serving food and drinks only can remain open provided they observe strict hygiene measures and close by midnight.

The order comes amid a rise in cases and news that the Governor of the Covid-hit province of Samut Sakhon has also tested positive, meaning a number of officials who had close contact with him – including the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul – are currently self-isolating for 14 days. It’s understood Governor Verasak Vichitsangsiri has been admitted to hospital for observation, due to an underlying condition that may put him at increased risk from the virus.

Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control has urged the public to support the governor, a call echoed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and Minister Anutin, who have praised him for his hard work in attempting to control the virus outbreak in his province.

Meanwhile, the eastern province of Rayong has confirmed that one of the patients in its recent cluster of infections has died. It’s understood the 45 year old man had underlying health conditions. He tested positive for the virus on Sunday and subsequently developed breathing difficulties. He stopped breathing while being transported to hospital.

In a stark warning to the country, Taweesilp Visanuyothin from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says cases could increase to thousands a day, or possibly even tens of thousands a day by the middle of January, if effective disease control measures are not implemented by provinces with high case numbers.

“If nothing is done, daily new cases could soar to 4 or 5 digits this month or by the middle of next month. The best solution is to refrain from socialising, and the curve will flatten.”

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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News Categories: Bangkok Coronavirus (Covid-19)

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6 Comments

Alam

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:20 am

That’s a good measure have been taken by the authorities, wish that spreading will not reach to out of control.
It’s time to do mass testing and possible much more spot testing.
Need to find out the roots of infection resumed areas.

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 2:12 pm
  
  What would “mass testing” and “spot testing” achieve?
  
  They’re massively expensive and unless they cover the entire population (very, very few countries have tested even 25% of the population) and are repeated, for everybody, every two weeks, they can never be effective to identify carriers as the experts now realise – one of the many mistakes made by the West, such as not wearing masks.
  
  The only tests that give quick enough results are lateral flow tests, and these miss more than half the positive cases (51%) making them worse than useless as those who are positive but test negative will feel safe and take less precautions, as will those around them.
  
  What’s needed is accurate targeted testing, which is exactly what Thailand’s been doing – very successfully judging by the figures from the targeted groups in Samut Sakhon (high:44%, medium:23%, low:12%).
  
  If country-wide on-going monitoring is what you’re after, that’s already being done by testing all those admitted to hospitals across the country.
  
  So … what more could “mass testing” actually achieve, exactly?
  
  Reply
Fred glue

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 11:03 am

Covid-19 up, Thai baht up, taxi fares up, motor bike taxi fares up, bar fine up, hotel prise up, beer up,
food up, me not up, Issan John up (set) Toby Andrews up ( too no good).
I have solved the puzzle with two days spare in 2020. Issan John, & Toby Andrews are the same person….
One person two identities…. you read what they write, and you will know for sure..???

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 2:14 pm
  
  … maybe a bit too much glue sniffing there, Fred …..
  
  Reply
  - Fred glue
    
    Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 2:39 pm
    
    Have a laugh John, you must have been something as when you we’re a baby sitting in a high chair.
    ??‍♂️??‍♂️
    
    Reply
Bill

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:30 pm

lmao, love people hating on the pseudo-intellectual IJ

Reply

Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

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