TCEB Situation Update Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Virus on 21 April 2021 New Stringent Measures for COVID-19 Situation in Designated Zones

TCEB Situation Update

Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Virus on 21 April 2021

New Stringent Measures for COVID-19 Situation in Designated Zones  

To contain the new and rapid surge of COVID-19 infection, the Thai Government announced in the Royal Decree the enforcement of the following stringent measures:

Ban on activities with a high risk of transmission

1. 1. Temporary closure of schools and all types of education establishments, except the use for online learning, relief or sheltering purposes, or activities of governmental sector for public good which are authorised by provincial governor. Small schools with fewer than 120 students and schools operated by the Border Patrol Police can continue their operation.

1. 2. Gathering of more than 50 persons, except those permitted by the authority, or conducted within the quarantine zones where official disease control measures issued by the provincial disease control committee are strictly followed.

Closure of venues and establishments with a high risk of transmission

          The provincial governor can exercise discretion, with the consent of the provincial communicable disease committee, to temporarily close for at least 14 days parlour-like establishments, entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke shops, bathing service, massage parlours or similar establishments.

Zoning

          To implement the measures in an integrated approach, area zoning is enforced as follows;  

1. 1. Maximum Control Area

          A total of 18 provinces are declared maximum control area: Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuab Kirikhan, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Srakaew, Suphanburi, and Udon Thani.

          Following measures are enforced for 14 days in maximum control area:

                   1.1 Restaurants and food outlets can serve food and beverages until 21:00 hrs. and provide takeaways until 23:00 hrs.

                   1.2 Alcohol beverage consumption in restaurants and food outlets are prohibited.

                   1.3 Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, or similar establishments can operate until 21:00 hrs. with a limited number of visitors. No promotional activities are allowed. Game arcades and amusement parks must be closed.

                   1.4 Convenient stores, supermarkets, night markets, flea markets, or walking streets can operate until 23:00 hrs. 24-hour shops can resume at 4:00 hrs.

                   1.5. Stadiums, fitness centres, gyms can operate until 21:00 hrs. Competitions are allowed but with limited number of spectators.

2. 2. Control Areas

          The remaining 59 provinces, must implement the following measures for at least 14 days;

                   2.1 Restaurants and food outlets can serve food and beverages until 23:00 hrs.

                   2.2 Alcohol beverage consumption in restaurants and food outlets are prohibited.

                   2.3 Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, or similar establishments can operate until 21:00 hrs. with a limited number of visitors. No promotional activities are allowed. Game arcades and amusement parks must be closed.

Travelling

          Unnecessary travelling should be cancelled or postponed, especially trips to maximum control areas. Authorities may set up screening points as necessary but must not cause unreasonable inconvenience to the public.

          The Ministry of Transportation will oversee all public transportation to ensure the compliance with the disease control measures of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Social events

          Parties, banquets, celebrations are not allowed, except traditional ceremonies organised with effective disease control measures.

Shift in work routine

          Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to consider shifting of work routine for workers and employees, such as remote working, working day alterations, or other means that can reduce the risk of transmission.

Measures for the infected persons

          Related government bodies are tasked to find venues to accommodate, treat, isolate or quarantine new patients by collaborating with educational institutes, universities, hotels, convention halls, private sector’s venues, or any suitable establishments.

          A person when infected or suspected of infection risk must contact local public health authorities or responsible persons in the area in order to be informed of appropriate protocols and enter isolation or quarantine so that the treatment process can be executed. Treatment, isolation or quarantine must be conducted in a place and within the period determined by the authorities or public health officials until infection-free or risk-free conditions are confirmed.

Evaluation of the measures’ suitability

          The CCSA is mandated to evaluate the situation to make changes that suit the conditions of the area and to adjust control measures and protocols that are deemed appropriate before submitting to the Prime Minister for approval. The Bangkok governor or provincial governors can issue additional orders in accordance with communicable disease laws to close, limit or prohibit activities, establishments, vehicles in their jurisdiction areas that pose infection risks but must be aligned with the measures and protocols established by the Prime Minister.

This is effective from 18 April 2021.

MICE-related measures in Bangkok

          In accordance with the announcement number 20, dated 16 April 2021, the Governor of Bangkok, with the consent of Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee, issued an announcement number 24 ordering the temporary closure of certain establishments. There are certain measures concerning the MICE industry as follows;

          Activities with high risk of transmission, such as meetings, conventions, seminars, banquets, and food distributions, can be organised for the maximum of 50 participants. In case of over 50 but not exceeding 1,000, organisers must request permission and submit event plan and disease control measures to district administration office prior the event. In case of over 1,000 participants, organisers must request permission from Department of Health of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and submit a disease control execution plan prior the event. The exception is events organised by government bodies in designated quarantine areas, where disease control measures are executed.  

Measures are varied from province to province. Please check from the link below:

http://www.moicovid.com/ข้อมูลสำคัญ-จังหวัด (TH Version)

References    

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/082/T_0025.PDF (TH Version)

http://www.bangkok.go.th/main/page.php?&140-News&type=detail&id=779&l=en

###

Further information about COVID-19 outbreak from WHO

https://www.who.int/thailand/emergencies/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

Department of Disease Control Contact Centre (Call 1422 24/7)

https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/index.php

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) (Call +66 (0) 2694 6000)

https://www.businesseventsthailand.com/en/situation-update-coronavirus-covid-19 or info@tceb.or.th