The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the newest round of COVID-19 restrictions announced for the 13 Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces, which will be effective for 14 days from Tuesday, 20 July and for those concerning public transport from Wednesday, 21 July, 2021.
Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 18 July, 2021, Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Committee decided on the new restrictions following rising cases in the Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces. This has involved mostly the Delta variant, particularly among vulnerable groups (aged 60+ and those with underlying diseases), with most of the infections coming from home from within the family. Despite attempts to speed up vaccination, time is still needed to build herd immunity.
The CCSA also added Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao and Chonburi (Pattaya City) in the dark-red zone bringing the number of provinces to 13 in addition to Bangkok, and the five surrounding provinces – Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon – and four Southern Thai provinces – Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala.
The newest round of restrictions in the 13 dark-red zone provinces are as follows:
Restrictions on the movements of people
The night-time curfew remains unchanged between 21.00-04.00 Hrs. During the 7-hour period nightly, people are asked to remain at home and only to go out if necessary.
Outside of the night-time curfew, people are also asked to only to go out if necessary, i.e., to shop for everyday items like food, medicine and medical supplies, to visit the doctor, or to receive a vaccine. The relative authorities are asked to do whatever necessary to distribute food and supplies to people to minimize hardship.
Checkpoints and screening are in place for travel between dark-red zone provinces and other areas.
Public transport is allowed to operate at only 50% of the seating capacity and must apply social distancing measures. The relative authorities are to ensure there is enough transportation services, especially for people with vaccination appointments.
Restrictions and closure of businesses and services
Restaurants and eateries are allowed to offer take-away services only up until 20.00 Hrs.
Department stores, shopping malls, and community malls are allowed to open until 20.00 Hrs., and only for supermarkets, pharmacies and medical supplies, and vaccination centers.
Hotels can open per normal hours, but are not allowed to hold any meetings, seminars, or banquets.
Convenience stores and fresh markets are allowed to open up until 20.00 Hrs. All 24-hour convenience stores must close nightly between 20.00-04.00 Hrs.
Restrictions on the gatherings of people
Public and private organizations as well as people are asked to avoid any activities prone to the spread of disease where the number of attendees exceeds 5 people. Public and private organizations are advised to hold training, seminars, and meetings online.
Work from home
Government agencies are asked to have their employees work from home 100%, except for those providing services in public health, disease control, utilities, traffic, disaster prevention and mitigation, law and order, and those with specific operating times to advance appointments. All must be done under strict disease control measures.
Private companies are also encouraged to have their employees work from home 100%.
What remains open?
Hospitals, medical facilities, medical clinics, pharmacies, shops, factories, banking and financial services, ATMs, telecommunication services, postage and parcel services, pet food shops, building materials and construction supplies stores, shops selling miscellaneous necessary items, cooking gas stores, petrol stations, and online delivery services are allowed to open as necessary under strict disease control measures.
Self-protective measures and distancing efforts
As usual, people nationwide are asked to continue abiding by the health and safety measures in place; such as, wearing a face mask at all times while outside of their residence, regularly washing hands with soap and water/cleaning alcohol, and avoiding unnecessary close contact with others.
TAT would like to remind all travellers to continue with D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.
For regular updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand, visit the TAT Newsroom via www.tatnews.org; Facebook (tatnews.org); and Twitter (Tatnews_Org).
For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
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