23 Chiang Mai restaurants closed due to Covid-19 outbreaks

Due to several Covid-19 outbreaks in the Muang district, Chiang Mai authorities have closed 23 restaurants from between 3 days and 2 weeks. The order came as Chiang Mai battles with increased Covid-19 infections like most of the rest of Thailand, pummelled by post-New Year’s holiday outbreaks and the rise of the Omicron variant.

Chiang Mai reported 304 Covid-19 infections in today’s daily report with the majority of cases being connected to clusters that had been identified at restaurants that were serving alcohol like a nightclub. Now Chiang Mai is among the 69 provinces reclassified as Orange Zones where the sale and consumption of alcohol are no longer permitted in restaurants or venues. The CCSA said the nightlife and entertainment venues can apply to reopen as restaurants if they meet the requirements.

Today local officials inspected the 23 restaurants to see that they had closed as ordered, finding that some had closed due to Covid-19 infection already, even before the official order closing them. Others were not aware of the order until the officials showed up and informed them.

4 restaurants were ordered by the Chiang Mai Disease Control Committee to shut down for 2 full weeks due to Covid-19 clusters, while another 4 were ordered to close for a week. The remaining 15 restaurants were ordered to close for just a 3-day cleanup. The list is as follows:

SOURCE: Bangkok Post