Curfew in place to combat Covid-19

In a move to contain the spread of a new strain of coronavirus, the government imposed a curfew, banning all people nationwide from leaving their homes from 10pm to 4am.

Appearing on the TV pool, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the curfew and called for calm. He asked the public not to stock up on food as they would still be allowed to go out during the daytime, though they would be required to observe social distancing.

Medical and banking personnel—as well as logistics workers handling consumer goods, agricultural produce, pharmaceutical products, medical supplies and equipment, newspapers, fuel, post, products bound for export and imported goods—are exempt from curfew restrictions. The travel of people to quarantine venues is also allowed. Exemptions also apply to employees working night shifts, individuals heading to or from airports with necessary documents stating their purpose, officials carrying out official orders and those who have received prior permission from officials to leave for emergencies. Violations will result in a jail term of no more than two years and/or a fine of no more than 40,000 baht.

Earlier in the day, Gen Prayut said the government would block all travel to Thailand, including by Thais, to prepare quarantine facilities after more local cases were linked to “imported” cases.

The measure came less than a week after the Emergency Decree was applied nationwide, banning the entry of foreigners, prohibiting public gatherings and urging people to stay at home. The decree came after Bangkok was put under partial lockdown days earlier.

The Interior Ministry ordered provincial governors of all border provinces to close borders temporarily to control the spread of Covid-19.