Thai premier says more curbs planned to control coronavirus flare-up

Thailand has seen its total Covid-19 cases nearly double since the beginning of April. PHOTO: AFP

BANGKOK (BLOOMBERG, AFP) - Thailand is weighing fresh control measures to contain the biggest wave of coronavirus outbreak to hit the South-east Asian nation after capital Bangkok ordered more businesses to close from Monday (April 26).

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the nation's main virus task force chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will consider the new restrictions on Wednesday, National Security Council secretary-general Natthapol Nakpanich said in Bangkok.

The panel will also consider whether more stringent curbs on movements and businesses are needed in Bangkok, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Prayut was fined for not wearing a mask on Monday after new Covid-19 restrictions came into force.

Wearing masks is now compulsory in public spaces in 49 provinces and the capital, Bangkok - where the latest outbreak has been traced back to a nightlife district.

Some locations are backing it up with a 20,000 baht (S$850) fine.

After a picture of a maskless Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha attending a meeting emerged on social media on Monday, the Bangkok governor said the premier had been fined 6,000 baht.

"As Bangkok governor, I filed a complaint against the prime minister who accepted the fine," Governor Aswin Kwanmuang wrote on Facebook.

Thailand has seen its total Covid-19 cases nearly double since the beginning of April with the resurgence of an outbreak tied to entertainment venues in Bangkok that has since spread to much of the nation of 77 provinces.

The country reported its biggest one-day jump in new infections on Saturday and record fatalities on Sunday, with total case count reaching 57,508.

The authorities in Bangkok closed dozens of businesses such as cinemas, gyms, and convention centres for two weeks starting Monday, while allowing malls and convenience stores to remain open but with shortened hours.

Earlier this month, the city of 10 million people had ordered the shutdown of pubs and bars, which were identified as sources for new clusters of infections.

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