BANGKOK (THAILAND) – Thailand is all set to allow pubs and bars to re-open on Wednesday and it will let in some foreign travellers after marking five weeks without any community transmission of the coronavirus, a government official said.
The authorities will allow pubs, bars and karaoke venues to operate until midnight as long as they maintain safety norms such as ensuring two metre (6.6 ft) space between tables.
“Alcohol consumption could reduce discipline so there will be close monitoring before customers enter venues,” Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, said on Monday.
Foreigners with work permits, residency and families in Thailand will also be able to enter the country. However, they will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Taweesin said foreigners seeking certain types of medical treatment such as cosmetic surgery or fertility treatment could also be allowed into the country.
Business visitors from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and Hong Kong are likely to be exempted from a two-week quarantine period under a fast track entry provided they produce certificates that show they are free from COVID-19 and were tested upon arrival.
The country’s aviation regulator has banned international flights since April.
“There is no proposal to change the flight suspension and travellers can return with repatriation flights and special flights,” he said.
The coronavirus has killed 58 people in Thailand, among 3,169 infections, while 3,053 patients have recovered.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field