BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s prime minister on Monday asked the public to stay home to help contain his biggest coronavirus outbreak and prevent a strict block, as authorities confirmed a daily record of 745 new infections.
The government declared 28 provinces, including Bangkok, as high-risk areas and asked people to work from home and avoid meeting or traveling across provincial borders, as the number of infections increases after an outbreak has been detected in the last month at a seafood market near the capital.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government was aware of the potential economic damage from strong containment measures.
“We don’t want to block the entire country because we know what the problems are, so can you block yourself?” he told reporters.
“It depends on everyone,” said Prayuth. “If we don’t want to be infected, just stay at home for 14 to 15 days. If you think like that, then things will be safe, easier to track. ”
Thailand recorded 8,439 coronavirus cases and 65 deaths in total, one of the lowest in Asia.
Most of the new cases are linked to a cluster of migrant workers that started in Samut Sakhon, a coastal province southwest of Bangkok, and led to infections in more than half of the country’s provinces.
The government task force COVID-19 recommended extending an emergency decree that empowers health officials and provincial governors by the end of February.
Bangkok’s restaurants and food vendors are expected to discontinue dinner services at 9 pm, said Prayuth, easing the suspension of dinner from 7 pm to 6 am imposed by Bangkok authorities, citing economic concerns. Take-outs will be allowed.
The sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants has been banned and bars and other entertainment venues closed in high-risk provinces. Provincial governors have the power to define their own restrictions.
Schools and educational centers across the country have been closed for a month.
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-umEditing by Martin Petty, Robert Birsel)