Bangkok imposes lockdown into effect from Saturday onwards aimed at curbing the kingdom’s rising coronavirus toll.
Thailand initially appeared to have escaped the worst of the virus, registering just under 4,000 total cases in November. But an outbreak last month at a massive seafood market has spiraled into a resurgence, with infections now detected in 53 of the kingdom’s 77 provinces. By Saturday the caseload had jumped to over 7,300.
With the partial lockdown, bars and nightclubs, boxing stadiums, cockfighting rings, and massage parlors — as well as beauty salons and gyms — will be among a slew of businesses affected. In addition to this, public schools will be closed for two weeks, while more than a dozen virus checkpoints were set up Saturday across the city.
Nationwide restrictions and closures are expected to go into effect from January 4 to February 1, allowing a two-day “grace period” for business owners to prepare.
But anger resounded across Thai social media Saturday on the renewed restrictions, with business owners expressing frustration with the partial lockdown. Thailand’s economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus and is among the worst-affected in Southeast Asia due to its reliance on tourism and exports.
Thailand initially appeared to have escaped the worst of the virus, registering just under 4,000 total cases in November. But an outbreak last month at a massive seafood market has spiraled into a resurgence, with infections now detected in 53 of the kingdom’s 77 provinces. By Saturday the caseload had jumped to over 7,300.
With the partial lockdown, bars and nightclubs, boxing stadiums, cockfighting rings, and massage parlors — as well as beauty salons and gyms — will be among a slew of businesses affected. In addition to this, public schools will be closed for two weeks, while more than a dozen virus checkpoints were set up Saturday across the city.
Nationwide restrictions and closures are expected to go into effect from January 4 to February 1, allowing a two-day “grace period” for business owners to prepare.
But anger resounded across Thai social media Saturday on the renewed restrictions, with business owners expressing frustration with the partial lockdown. Thailand’s economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus and is among the worst-affected in Southeast Asia due to its reliance on tourism and exports.
