BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s prime minister on Monday urged the public to stay home to help prevent the biggest outbreak of the coronavirus and avoid strict closure, as authorities confirmed a daily record of 745 new infections.
The government has declared 28 provinces, including Bangkok, as high-risk zones and asked people to work from home and avoid gathering or traveling outside provincial borders as infection numbers climb after an outbreak at a seafood market near last month the capital was detected.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government was aware of the potential economic damage due to strong controls.
“We do not want to lock up the whole country because we know what the problems are, so can you all lock up?” he told reporters.
“It’s up to everyone,” Prayuth said. “If we do not want to get infected, you only have to stay at home for 14 to 15 days. If you think so, things will be safe, easier to investigate.”
Thailand recorded a total of 8,439 cases of coronavirus and 65 deaths, one of the lowest numbers in Asia.
Most of the new cases were linked to a group of migrant workers who 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’s task force COVID-19 recommends extending an emergency decision that health authorities and provincial governors may grant until the end of February.
Prayuth should stop restaurants and food vendors in Bangkok from eating services, the Bangkok authorities earlier earlier from 19:00 to 06:00 softened by the authorities in Bangkok, citing economic concerns. Removal will be allowed.
Alcohol sales in restaurants were banned and pubs and other entertainment venues were closed in high-risk provinces. Provincial governors are empowered to set their own restrictions.
Schools and education centers nationwide have been closed for a month.
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um Edited by Martin Petty, Robert Birsel)