The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced yesterday (9 July) new disease control measures for 10 provinces in the ‘dark red’ zone, including a curfew between 21.00 – 4.00 and a ban on gatherings of 5 or more people, which will be implemented as of Monday (12 July).

According to a CCSA press conference this evening, private companies, state enterprises, and government agencies in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom should have employees work from home as much as possible, while schools and university must move all classes online.

Public transportation in the six provinces will stop running from 21.00 until 3.00 the next day. Convenience stores and night markets will close between 20.00 – 4.00, while shopping malls must close, except for supermarkets, pharmacies, food department, and general store departments, and vaccination locations, which must close at 20.00.

Dine-ins continue to be banned, and restaurants are only allowed to open for takeaway until 20.00. Massage parlours, spas, and beauty salons, which are seen as high-risk places, must close, while public parks are open for exercise until 20.00.

The CCSA also banned social gatherings of 5 or more people, excluding official or business meetings , religious gatherings, or traditional activities.

People in the 6 provinces, as well as in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla are not permitted to leave their residences between 21.00 – 3.00, unless they are traveling to a hospital for treatment or they are medical professionals or public utility officials traveling to work.

The CCSA also said that traveling across provincial borders will also be limited starting from tomorrow (10 July).

National security agencies will also be setting up checkpoints and patrol units from 18.00 on 10 July onwards to make sure that the measures are observed. The slides shown during the press conference also stated that anyone who violates the measures will be charged under the Emergency Decree and the Communicable Disease Act.

CCSA deputy spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangson said during the press conference that people should still wear face coverings and keep a distance from each other both at home and at work.

She also said that the authorities will be increasing Covid-19 testing and will be implementing home isolation and community quarantine. Thai traditional medicine would also be used in addition to existing medical procedures, and more field ICUs and field hospitals would be set up.

Dr Apisamai said that the goal of 1 million doses of vaccine will be reached within 2 weeks. 1.5 million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines and 1.05 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines have been donated to the Thai government by Japan. 1.35 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be given to Thai citizens and 150,000 doses to foreign nationals.

Priority will be given to those in the 10 ‘dark red’ zone provinces, especially to frontline medical workers, the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions, foreign nationals residing in Thailand, particularly those with chronic conditions or cancer; and those who need to receive the Pfizer vaccine before traveling overseas, such as students, athletes, and diplomats.

945,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be given to Thai citizens who have yet to be vaccinated, and 105,000 doses will be given to foreign nationals.

The AstraZeneca vaccines will be given to people in Bangkok and the 5 surrounding provinces, as well as in Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao and Phuket, with the target group being thesame as for the Pfizer vaccine. 

Meanwhile, the CCSA agreed that to extend the State of Emergency, which has been in place since the end of March 2020, until the end of September 2021. The CCSA will be proposing the extension for cabinet approval on Tuesday (13 July).

Dr Apisamai said that, so far, 11,975,996 people have been vaccinated. Of this number, 8,800,155 have received their first dose, while 3,175,841 have received their second dose.

9276 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday (9 July), bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of April 2021 to 288,643, while the death toll has now risen to 2440.

74,895 people are currently receiving treatment, with 39,240 in hospital and 35,655 in field hospitals. 2685 patients are reported to have severe symptoms, 701 of whom are on a respirators.

Another 9,326 cases were reported today (10 July), bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of April 2021 to 297,969, while 91 more people were reported to have died, bringing the death toll to 2531.