Thailand detects 315 new Covid-19 cases, prepares tougher restrictions

Bangkok, Jan 3 (efe-epa).- Thailand confirmed 315 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, most of them local infections as the country reels under the second wave of the coronavirus that began in mid-December and has forced the health authorities to prepare for harsher restrictions.

The new cases, which include 21 imported, has increased the overall tally to 7,694 infections and 64 deaths since January 2020, according to the data of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

In the face of the virus spread in the last fortnight, health authorities on Saturday recommended stricter restrictions on movement and business activity in 28 provinces, including Bangkok.

These measures must be approved by the country’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to come into effect.

The restrictions include a recommendation to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel as well as the suspension of businesses and activities that pose a risk of infection to the population.

The Bangkok authorities had already ordered schools to be closed for two weeks.

Gyms, bars, and massage parlors were also ordered to close temporarily.

However, shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons, parks, and swimming pools have been allowed to remain open, with social distancing measures in place.

Since mid-December, Thailand has been experiencing a Covid-19 outbreak detected at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon province, located adjacent to Bangkok, which has spread to more than 40 provinces.

Despite attempts to control the spread of the virus, Thai authorities forecast a significant increase in infections by the end of this month.

They predict that daily infections will climb to reaching nearly 8,000, a figure higher than all the cases recorded in the country in the last year. EFE-EPA

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