BANGKOK, Feb 23 (NNN-TNA) – The Thai government is to extend the emergency rule for another month, but ease some restriction measures, as the country’s daily new caseload fell below 100 in recent days.
The Centre for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), extends the emergency rule until the end of March, to effectively stem the domestic pandemic, said CCSA spokesman, Taweesin Visanuyothin.
The emergency rule, which has been put in place since March last year, and extended several times, allows the government to streamline disease-control measures without multiple approval procedures.
The CCSA also lifted a ban on restaurants and bars serving alcoholic beverages, in several provinces, including the capital Bangkok, but excluding Samut Sakhon province, where the new wave of outbreak was first detected. Alcoholic beverages can only be served until 11:00 p.m., Taweesin said.
Samut Sakhon now remains the only province under the highest risk category with continued containment measures.
Live music performances are also allowed at restaurants and bars, but no customers are allowed to dance at such venues, as yet, Taweesin said.
Yesterday, Thailand confirmed 89 new COVID-19 cases, taking its total caseload to 25,504, with a total death toll of 83.– NNN-TNA