Pattaya restaurateurs breathed a sigh of relief as customers slowly returned after a ban on dine-in service was lifted.
Pairat Puttaruksakul, owner of the Je To noodle shop, said sales fell off a cliff after Chonburi was designated a “deep red” coronavirus-control zone prohibiting restaurant dine-in. On Monday, Chonburi was changed to a “red” zone and dine-in service was allowed to resume.
Despite restrictions that include a 25 percent capacity cap, a ban on alcohol sales and a 9 p.m. closing time, customers returned May 17, which she saw as a good sign.
“Moddang” of Moddang Southern Food haled the relaxed restrictions as well but called on the government to consider how continued restrictions damage people’s lives more than the coronavirus.
She said she understands the government needs to control the latest Covid-19 outbreak, but blanket bans do more harm than good.
