TCEB Situation Update Travel Advisory: COVID-19 virus on 25 June 2021 Adjustment of Controlled Area Zoning and Relaxation of Measures
TCEB Situation Update
Travel Advisory: COVID-19 virus on 25 June 2021
Adjustment of Controlled Area Zoning and Relaxation of Measures
19 June 2021: The Government and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have introduced adjustments to Covid-19 control measures allowing for more relaxed controls specially designed for each five zones, providing guidelines for re-opening of tourist attractions as well as MICE related activities. They are as follows;
Wearing of sanitary masks or fabric masks
Wearing sanitary masks or fabric masks in an appropriate manner, as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health, when outside the residence or in public space, remains mandatory. In case of non-compliance, the authorities can make a warning. If violation persists, actions as stated in the Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2558 can be taken.
In case wearing masks poses inconvenience when performing any roles and undertaking any activities allowed by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), masks can be removed if the responsible persons have established screening measures, risk control measures, response measures when infection is detected and have executed the authorised preventive measures. As recommended by the authorities, mask removal can only be allowed when deemed appropriate and necessary for the time during which the particular roles and activities must be performed and undertaken.
Zoning
To enable the enforcement of the integrated control measures, five zoning areas are designated according to the situation of each particular area as follows:
1. Maximum and strict controlled area
2. Maximum controlled area
3. Controlled area
4. High surveillance area
5. Surveillance area
In case the adjustment of the zoning is needed to suit the circumstances of the area, it must be executed by the order of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Integrated control measures for each zone
1. Maximum and strict controlled area: Four provinces Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan are subject to the following eased-up measures:
1.1 The buildings of schools and all types of educational institutes must not be used for teaching, training or any activities involving large crowds. The exception is the use for activities as allowed by the Prime Minister or CCSA but the request must be submitted first to the operation centre of CCSA for their consideration. Use of the buildings for the following activities is also the exception:
- E-learning activities or electronic means of remote communication activities
- Activities for assistance, aid relief, sheltering purposes
- Activities of the governmental sector or activities for public good authorised by the city/ provincial governor
- Small schools or small educational institutes with less than 120 students or border patrol police schools
1.2 Restaurants and food outlets can provide sit-in services until 23:00 hrs. and at a maximum 50% of the air-conditioned seating capacity. Alcohol consumption on site is not allowed. Service providers must execute screening, social distancing and other disease control measures as established by the authorities.
1.3 Department stores, shopping centres and community malls can operate normally until 21.00 hrs, but must limit the number of visitors. Sales promotion activities, game arcades and amusement parks are prohibited.
1.4 Sport venues, exercising venues, gyms and fitness services remain closed, except separate use that is in line with communicable disease law or use for public good authorised by the city/provincial governor and backed-up by the consent of the Communicable Disease Committee of the city/province. Open-air sport or exercising venues or the indoor ones with good ventilation can operate until 21.00 hrs. Competitions can be held but with no spectators and must comply with the authorised disease prevention measures.
1.5 Activity with over 50 participants is prohibited. Permission for such activity must be made by the city/provincial governor who will establish the criteria and make consideration on a case by case basis with the recommendations of the City/Provincial Communicable Disease Committee so that the decision fits the circumstances of the location and the situation of the area under their responsibility.
With reference to the directive number 24, dated June 19, 2021, the Governor of Bangkok, with the consent of the city’s Communicable Disease Committee, convened the meeting No. 18/2021 and approved the relaxation of measures allowing the reopening of certain venues and resumption of some activities as stated in the directive number 32, dated June 14, 2021. The details are as follow:
1. Public swimming pools or other similar activities
2. Pools for sporting purposes or reservoirs for water activities, including jet ski, kite surf, and banana
boat rides, can operate with a limited number of people, depending on the number of equipment and the capacity of venues, and must be closed by 21:00 hrs. Competition can be held with no spectators and must be in strict compliance with the authorised disease control measures.
3. Learning centres, science for education centres, science parks, science and culture centres, and art galleries.
4. Public libraries, community libraries, private libraries and book houses
5. Restaurants and food outlets can serve food and beverages until 23:00 hrs. with no more than 50% of air-conditioned seating capacity and are in strict compliance with the authorised disease control measures. Alcohol consumption onsite is not allowed.
6. Sport venues or settings in an open-air location and indoor sport venues or settings for exercises with good ventilation can operate until 21:00 hrs. Competition can be held with no spectators and is in line with disease prevention measures.
7. Convenience stores and supermarkets can operate during their regular opening hours.
8. The activities which include meetings, conventions, seminars, banquets, and food distribution, camping, filming, TV programme production, religious activities, friend/family visits can be organised for the maximum of 50 attendants. In case of over 50 but not exceeding 500, organisers must request permission and submit event plan and disease control measures to district administration office prior the event. In case of over 500 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 activities organised by government bodies or held in quarantine zone where disease control measures are executed.
Violators are subject to the penalty according to Article 52 of the Communicable Disease Act, B.E. 2558, resulting in a maximum one-year imprisonment, or a maximum fine of 100,000 baht, or both.
They are also subject to Article 18 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration, B.E. 2548, resulting in a maximum two-year imprisonment, or a maximum fine of 40,000 baht, or both.
Due to an emergency affair, any rights to dispute this announcement is not permitted, according to Article 30, paragraph 2 (1) of the Administrative Procedure Act, B.E. 2539
2. Maximum controlled area: Eleven provinces Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Trang, Nakhon Pathom, Pattani, Phetchaburi, Songkhla, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Yala, Narathiwat - are subject to the following eased-up measures:
2.1 Schools or all types of educational institutes can conduct teaching, testing, training or any activities involving a large group of participants, which are deemed necessary and in compliance with the authorised disease prevention measures. With the recommendations of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee, the governor will set up the criteria for conducting such activities that fit the circumstances and situation of the area under their responsibility.
2.2 Restaurants and food outlets can serve food and beverages until 23:00 hrs. with no alcohol consumption onsite.
2.3 Department stores, shopping centres and community malls can operate normally, but must limit the number of visitors. Sales promotion activities, game arcades and amusement parks are prohibited.
2.4 Sport venues, exercising venues, gyms and fitness services can operate until 21.00 hrs. Competition can be held if the number of spectators is limited and authorised disease prevention measures are executed.
2.5 Activity with over 100 participants is prohibited. Permission for such activity must be made by the provincial governor who will establish the criteria and make consideration on a case by case basis with the recommendations of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee so that the decision fits the circumstances of the location and the situation of the area under their responsibility.
3. Controlled area: a total of 9 provinces, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Ayutthaya, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo and Samut Songkhram, are to comply with the following eased-up measures:
3.1 Schools and all types of educational institutes can use their buildings to conduct classes, training or any activities involving a large group of participants, which are deemed necessary, in strict compliance with the authorised disease prevention measures and under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation or related agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.
3.2 Restaurants and food outlets can serve food and beverages in normal operation hours as legally stated. However, alcohol consumption onsite is not allowed.
3.3 Department stores, shopping malls and community malls can operate their normal working hours but game arcades and amusement parks remain prohibited.
3.4 Sport venues, exercising venues, gyms and fitness services can operate normally. Competition can be held if the number of spectators is limited and authorised disease prevention measures are executed.
3.5 Activity with over 150 participants is prohibited. Permission for such activity must be made by the provincial governor who will establish the criteria and make consideration on a case by case basis with the recommendations of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee so that the decision fits the circumstances of the location and the situation of the area under their responsibility.
4. High surveillance area: a total of 53 provinces, Krabi, Kanchanburi, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Buengkan, Buriram, Prachinburi, Phayao, Phang Nga, Phattalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phare, Phuket, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Roi Et, Lopburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Suratthani, Surin, Nongkhai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Angthong, Amnat Charoen, Udon Thani, Uttaradit, Uthaithani, Ubon Ratchathani, are to execute the following eased-up measures:
4.1 Schools and all types of educational institutes can use their buildings to conduct classes, training or any activities involving a large group of participants, which are deemed necessary, in strict compliance with the authorised disease prevention measures and under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation or related agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.
4.2 Department stores, shopping malls and community malls can operate their normal working hours but game arcades and amusement parks remain prohibited.
4.3 Sport venues, exercising venues, gyms and fitness services can operate normally and can hold competition with limited number of spectators.
4.4 Activity with over 200 participants is prohibited. Permission for such activity must be made by the provincial governor who will establish the criteria and make consideration on a case by case basis with the recommendations of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee so that the decision fits the circumstances of the location and the situation of the area under their responsibility.
5. Surveillance area: establishments can operate and activities are allowed when they are ready to comply with disease control measures, rules, regulations and protocols as recommended by the authorities, including the compliance with laws. However, activities involving over 300 participants are not allowed. Permission for such activity must be made by the provincial governor who will establish the criteria and make consideration on a case by case basis with the recommendations of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee so that the decision fits the circumstances of the location and the situation of the area under their responsibility.
Adjustment of provincial sub-area zoning and establishment of additional provincial control measures
With the consent of the City/Provincial Communicable Disease Committee, the governor can, depending on each case, propose the adjustment of city/provincial sub-area zoning to fit the infection situation to the operation centre of CCSA for their examination and screening and propose it to the Prime Minister for consideration. The governor can consider taking actions on top of the order stated herewith and in accordance with the Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2558 to close, limit or prohibit the operation of establishments or activities that may pose infection risk in the areas under their responsibility. Such actions must be, however, in line with the directives of the Prime Minister or CCSA.
Measures to close establishments or spreader-prone areas
To lower risk of widespread infection, the city/provincial governor, with the consent of the City/Provincial Communicable Disease Committee, can consider, depending on each case, temporary closing of establishments providing services like entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke, bathing massage parlours or similar establishments for at least 14 days. The closing duration in each area can be different. The closing consideration is to be submitted to the operation centre of CCSA for their examination, screening and assessment for the suitability before its submission to the Prime Minister for his consideration for the relaxation of such measure.
Strict surveillance measures of locations or activities posing risk of cluster infection
The authorities will conduct strict surveillance over locations or activities posing infection, such as factories, accommodation of overseas workers or other spots. It is to ensure that they are in compliance with the conditions, duration, arrangement, including disease prevention measures established by the authorities. In case of violation, warning will be made. Legal actions will be taken against non-compliance.
Measures related to travel and migration of overseas workers
The city/provincial governor, with the consent of the Communicable Disease Committee of both source destination and end destination, can consider allowing overseas workers to make inter-provincial travel in order to work. In this respect, authorised disease prevention measures must be strictly followed so that the enforcement of the measures in each area is suitable to the actual circumstances with the authorities executing the official directives. The measures for overseas workers are also applicable to their intra provincial work, with the city/provincial governor, the authorities and responsible agencies overseeing the execution of the official directives.
Work from home measure
Head of government agencies, business owners or entrepreneurs should consider extending work from home routine to reduce workers’ travel as deemed necessary and appropriate in order to prevent and reduce risk of infection. This measure should be executed without compromising public service.
Relaxed measures for film and television programme production
The relaxed measures can be executed under the restricted number of participants. Masks can be removed at certain times and circumstances during the filming but it must be done under CCSA-approved protocols for film and television programme production.
Preparation for pilot opening for tourists in certain zones
The authorities and concerned agencies must quicken preparatory actions in order to facilitate the execution of the government’s pilot plan to open certain areas for tourists. The scope of the preparation includes management, preparation of the people, medical and public health resources and prevention measures. Rules, terms, conditions and details of the visitors who can enter Thailand under this pilot opening scheme have already been established and must be executed in accordance with the public health measures designed for this particular opening scheme and in line with the authorised disease prevention measures.
Evaluation of measures
The operation centre of CCSA will consider and evaluate the situation in order to make zoning adjustment that fits the situation of the designated areas and to adjust the control measures in an integrated manner to suit the level of situation of each area. The operation centre of CCSA can also propose additional measures as appropriate to respond to changes of the situation at certain times and submit such measures to the Prime Minister or CCSA for their consideration and approval.
Coordination and integration of collaboration
The operation centre of CCSA will act as a driver, accelerator and monitoring body of the execution of the public service sector, government and concerned agencies. The centre will integrate the collaboration and make coordination in the operation of the public service agencies, private sector and agencies under CCSA, which include the centre for the integration of COVID-19 situation administration in Bangkok and adjacent provinces. The integrated approach will help quicken the COVID 19 – related operation and boost its efficiency and enable the operation to be in line with the policies, guidelines, criteria and measures set up by the Prime Minister, government or CCSA.
Reference:
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/133/T_0001.PDF (TH Version)
https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210619115754948
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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
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