Thai night curfew to be lifted

Bangkok, June 12 (IANS) The Thai government has approved to end the night curfew from June 15 imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced on Friday."Ministers and health experts have all agreed that the 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. curfew will be lifted from next Monday (June 15) but the state of emergency in the country will continue," Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said.However, Taweesin said Thailand will continue to strictly control travel in and out of the country, as most of the COVID-19 patients were foreign returnees since late May, reports Xinhua news agency.The CCSA spokesman also added that as Thailand approaches the relaxation of Phase Four lockdown restrictions, pubs, bars and massage parlours will remain closed, as these venues only encourage clustering."However, there are exceptions to some high-risk activities, such as the use of school buildings or some sports. These venues will resume operations," said Taweesin. "Sale of alcoholic beverages will be allowed, as well as the holding of concerts, as long as venue operators can ensure social distancing amongst patrons."The National Security Council (NSC), meanwhile, has proposed to the government that the lifting of the night curfew should be imposed for 15 days first as a trial period.The CCSA was yet to decide on NSC's proposal.As of Friday, the CCSA reported four new cases of COVID-19, all returnees from India, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand to 3,125, with 58 deaths.
--IANS ksk/