TCEB Situation Update Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Virus on 4 May 2021 Stricter COVID-19 Measures and New Zoning Announcement

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TCEB Situation Update

Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Virus on 4 May 2021

Stricter COVID-19 Measures and New Zoning Announcement

To contain the new and rapid surge of COVID-19 infection, the Thai Government announced the enforcement of the more stringent measures and new zoning arrangement as follows:

Wearing sanitary masks or fabric masks

It is now mandatory to wear sanitary masks or fabric masks when outside the residence or in public space. The mask must be worn properly according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health. Authorities can make a warning and order the non-complying people to follow the enforcement. Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2558 and its amended version will be executed in case of violation.

Zoning

New classification of zoning is undertaken to enable the integrated prevention measures as follows:

1. Maximum control area with tightened restrictions: Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, a total of 6 provinces, are placed under this classification where the following tightened restrictions are imposed;

1.1 Ban of gathering of over 20 persons, except those permitted by the authority or organised in the quarantine zones, where official disease control measures issued by the provincial disease control committee are strictly followed.

1.2 Restaurants and food outlets can serve only takeaways until 21:00 hrs. Alcohol and food consumption onsite are not allowed.

1.3 Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, convenient stores, supermarkets, night markets, flea markets, walking streets or similar establishments can operate in accordance with the conditions, time regulations, orders, and disease control measures similar to those being imposed on maximum control area as established in the announcement number 20 dated 16 April 2021.

1.4 Sport venues, physical exercise settings, gyms and fitness centres must be closed, except the case of private use which is in line with communicable disease laws. Sport venues or settings in an open-air location can operate until 21:00 hrs. Competitions are allowed but with no spectators. Sport competitions permitted by the Prime Minister must be organised with the strict compliance with the official disease control measures.

1.5 Travel out of the zone without justifiable reasons must be refrained.

2. Maximum control area: Kanchanaburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai, Trang, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Nan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Pattani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Phuket, Maha Sarakham, Yala, Roi Et, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Sisaket, Songkhla, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Suratthani, Angthong, Udon- thani, Ubon Ratchathani, a total of 45 provinces, must comply with the announcement number 20 dated 16 April 2021 and the measures established by the authorities of each province which are in line with communicable disease laws.

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

2.2 Alcohol consumption onsite is not allowed.

2.3 Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, or similar establishments can operate with a limited number of visitors and must be closed by 21:00 hrs.

No promotional activities are allowed. Game arcades and amusement parks must be closed.

2.4 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.

2.5 Sport venues or physical exercise settings, gyms and fitness centres can operate and must be closed by 21:00 hrs. Competitions are allowed only with limited number of spectators.

3. Control areas: Krabi, Kalasin, Chainat, Chumphon, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Phanom, Buengkan, Buriram, Phang Nga, Phrae, Phayao, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Surin, Nongkhai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uthaithani, Uttaradit, Amnat Charoen, a total of 26 provinces, must comply with the announcement number 20 dated 16 April 2021 and the measures established by the authorities of each province which are in line with communicable disease laws.

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

3.2 Alcohol consumption onsite is not allowed.

3.3 Department stores, shopping malls, community malls, or similar establishments can operate with a limited number of visitors and must be closed by 21:00 hrs.

No promotional activities are allowed. Game arcades and amusement parks must be closed.

Remote work routine

Head of government agencies, business owners or entrepreneurs should consider executing highest measures for 14 days at a minimum to reduce workers’ travel and risk of infection, such as remote working, working day alterations, or other appropriate means on the ground that public service is not compromised.

This is effective from 1 May 2021.

According to the announcement of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) number 22 dated 30 April 2021, Bangkok has been declared maximum control area with tightened restrictions. As such, the Governor of Bangkok, with the approval of the city’s disease control committee, has announced these following directives;

1. Restaurants and food outlets can only serve takeaways until 21:00 hrs. Food and alcohol consumption onsite are not allowed.

2. Sport venues, physical exercise settings, gyms and fitness centres must be closed, except the case of private use which is in line communicable disease laws, use for training of national team athletes, use for assistance or relief purposes, use by government sector or use for public good with the authorisation from the Bangkok Governor. Outdoor or open-air exercise facilities/settings are allowed to operate until 21:00 hrs. Competitions are allowed but without spectators. Those competitions permitted by the Prime Minister can proceed but must strictly comply with the official disease control measures.

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

4. Any other establishments or operation must comply with the announcement of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) number 25 dated 25 April 2021 regarding the temporary closure of establishments. ( http://www.bangkok.go.th/main/page.php?&140-News&type=detail&id=782&l=en )

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.

Effective May 1, 2021 until May 9, 2021

References

http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/091/T_0024.PDF (TH Version)

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

https://thailand.prd.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=11123&filename=index

http://www.bangkok.go.th/main/page.php?&140-Announced&type=detail&id=784&l=en

http://www.bangkok.go.th/main/page.php?&140-News&type=detail&id=782&l=en

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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