BANGKOK: The Thai government says it will lift all remaining business and activity lockdowns on July 1, according to the National Security Council Chief.
“This includes interprovincial and international travel, as well as the end of emergency decree and curfew.”
The lift of all restrictions, imposed under the country’s emergency decree, would be a “complete reopening of the country”. Officials and the CCSA will spend June getting ready for this milestone in the country’s relatively successful Covid-19 strategy.
But the “end to all restrictions” will still mean some measures will remain in place as part of the new normal for social behaviors. This may be enacted under existing laws and could include a continuation on the wearing of face masks, for example, but none of this has been decided at this stage.
“Authorities will have serious discussions because after the emergency decree ends, other laws will be used instead.”
National Security Council Secretary-general General Somsak Rungsita maintained that people’s cooperation is important.
“This concerns the use of face masks, social distancing, hand wash and limited activities. As long as the disease is spreading worldwide, we will have to fight against it for a while.”
The general said that the emergency decree will remain until the end of June and the ban on international travel will continue until then. A third phase of reopening is scheduled to be put in place for June 1 – an announcement on the lifting of phase three restrictions is expected tomorrow.
It is also expected that curfew hours will also be shortened for June. Some of the restrictions and paperwork required for interprovincial travel will also be eased during June.
Business operators and customers will still be be required to use the Thai Chana mobile app to check ins and check outs of businesses permitted to reopen during the next month.
