UPDATE: Thai PM orders closure of bars and clubs in 41 provinces

UPDATE: The order to close bars and nightlife venues in 41 provinces will go into effect at midnight, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced this afternoon. Under emergency measures, the local governments in the other 36 provinces have the power to set restrictions and close venues if needed to control the Covid-19 situation.

Original story…

The order to close nightlife venues across Thailand is on the table and ready for PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to sign. The order requires bars in 41 of Thailand’s 77 provinces to close for at least 2 weeks (list below).

The new order doesn’t cover traditional Thai massage spas.

Numerous clusters of Covid-19 infections have been reported at entertainment venues, primarily in Bangkok’s trendy Thong Lor area. Health officials suspect the outbreak is the faster-spreading UK variant (B117) of the virus. To combat the spread of the more contagious strain of the virus, health officials are implementing what they call “target therapy,” according to the spokesperson for the CCSA Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin.

When asked if the proposals to reopen Phuket to foreign tourists without quarantine in July will be affected by the new cluster, the CCSA spokesperson said only that the “issue may be discussed again by the CCSA and the cabinet”.

The Thai PM had already ordered the closure of specific entertainment venues and restaurants where Covid-19 infections were reported.

“The measure has been effective since April 5 in a bid to prevent Covid-19 from spreading further after a new outbreak linked to entertainment venues such as pubs, bars and karaoke parlours… If an infection is found at any of these businesses, it will be shut down for at least 2 weeks. In case infections are found across many businesses in the same area, they will all be shut for at least 14 days.”

Phuket authorities already ordered all nightlife venues on the island to close for the next 10 days, a move sure to hit businesses hard as bar and club owners expected an influx of customers next week for Songkran.Tje latest order, to close for 14 days. will likely supercede the earlier announcement.

The 41 provinces facing the closure on nightlife venues include:

Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri (including Pattaya), Chumphon, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Loei, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan (including Hua Hin), Ratchaburi, Ranong, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkram, Saraburi, Songkhla Suphan Buri, Surat Thani (including Samui and Pha Ngan), Tak, Udon Thani, Yala

SOURCES: Bangkok Post | Nation Thailand