The speaker for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced this morning that Thailand will be entering phase four of the easing of lockdown measures, if this is approved by the cabinet tomorrow.
If the cabinet approves this measure, an official announcement will be made which may allow alcohol sales as soon as tomorrow, Friday 12th, or if not the 15th June, on Monday.
With no new cases found in Thailand in fourteen days, the government wishes to continue its efforts to stimulate the economy.
The meeting, held by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration committee, agreed that phase 4 would allow for more activities and businesses to open which they have grouped into four categories;
1. Schools, international schools, tutorial colleges, institutions for exams and trainings and government offices.
2.Lifestyle businesses such as restaurants, hotels and resorts. Though alcohol can be sold at these venues, bars and pubs are still not allowed to be open. Loud activities are not allowed. Traditional buffets are not allowed (if food is served in container shared by many). All promotion of alcohol – including pretties – are banned.
Kindergartens, care centres, old people’s homes. Hotel meeting rooms, all meeting rooms, exhibition centres. Events for promotional purposes or sports (with no spectators) can commence. Educational science activities such as observatories. Public transportation.
3. Exercise health or social activities such as cinemas, television and movie productions, spas, onsen, massage parlours. However, soapy massages are not to open just yet. Children’s playgrounds, swimming pools, water parks, but not plastic ball pits in shopping malls.
4.Open air sports venues, martial arts and boxing camps, sans spectators. Public parks, public exercise venues. Games rooms in community malls, malls and parks.
There have been some rumours locally, and some officials may have even spoken out, that phase 4 start today. But we would like to insist that until the cabinet approves, this is still pending.