Thailand to reopen malls and gyms, shorten curfew from May 17 as COVID-19 situation improves
16 May, 2020
Thailand is getting ready to reopen department stores and various business venues nationwide from Sunday (May 17) as the COVID-19 situation in the united states continues to improve, in line with the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
CCSA spokesperson Dr Thaweesilp Wisanuyothin said on Friday that further relaxation of the lockdown measures was essential for the economy, but admitted there is concern in regards to a second wave of the pandemic.
“The situation will be assessed regularly based on data of the implementation of various measures,” he said.
From Sunday, shops and community malls in Thailand will be allowed to resume operations between 10am and 8pm. However, certain businesses at the premises such as for example cinemas, skating rinks, bowling alleys, spas and massage parlours will stay closed.
Restaurants and cafes in office buildings, as well as food courts, will also take advantage of the further relaxation although alcohol sale will be banned at the venues.
Other businesses and activities that may resume businesses include big retail and wholesale stores, indoor sport centres and gyms. However, only non-contact sports and team sports with maximum of three players will be allowed. They include badminton, table tennis, yoga, squash and climbing.
“As for fitness studios, only free weight exercises can resume. Group exercises, treadmills, cycling machines, elliptical trainers and other workout machines it's still banned," Dr Thaweesilp said.
Swimming pools will be able to reopen from Sunday aswell but venue operators are required to limit the quantity of users and duration of exercise. However, according to Dr Thaweesilp, boxing stadiums, fighting techinques schools and gyms, water parks, natural water gardens and water sports will be excluded from the partial relaxation.
Besides easing certain lockdown restrictions, the Thai government will also shorten the nationwide curfew by one hour. Starting from Sunday, the curfew will last from 11pm to 4am.
On Friday, the CCSA reported seven new COVID-19 patients, bringing the total number of instances in Thailand to 3,025. The seven new cases include six men and a female - all detected in quarantine facilities after returning from Pakistan on, may 7.
So far, Thai health officials have discharged 2,854 COVID-19 patients from hospitals. Fifty-six persons have died and 115 patients are still admitted.
Citing data from the general public health ministry, Dr Thaweesilp presented three future scenarios of the pandemic in Thailand by Sep 30.
In the first scenario, where in fact the government maintains the existing COVID-19 control policies, Thailand is expected to report 3 new cases each day, with 15 patients in critical conditions.
In the next scenario, where certain policies are relaxed, the united states could report 24 new infections every day, with 105 patients in critical conditions.
In the third scenario, with most policies relaxed, Thailand could report 65 new patients each day, with 289 patients in critical conditions.
“The second scenario appears like the most suitable choice,” he said.
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