BANGKOK, Apr 1 (NNN-TNA) – Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, told media, after the Cabinet meeting, that, he may extend the state of emergency decree for another month or two, should Thailand’s COVID-19 situation does not ease.
“The government is constantly reviewing the situation,” said Prayut, “Looking at the present situation, the government is unlikely to lift the state of emergency soon.”
Prayut announced the state of emergency, which took effect from Mar 26 and goes on until Apr 30.
The Ministry of Public Health reported 127 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 1,651, and one more fatality, with the total of 10, with Bangkok leading with 796 cases.
At the Government House on Tuesday, Prayut said that, some rules under the emergency decree can be relaxed, if the situation gets better.
However, state agencies are empowered to tighten some rules in areas that show no improvement, Prayut said.
Prayut warned that, if most people still fail to follow the guidelines of the government, then he will suspend all public transportation systems.
Bangkok’s adjacent province of Nonthaburi, imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., effective on Tuesday, to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Nonthaburi Province reported two confirmed patients on Tuesday, bringing the total number in the province to 63 (including one death two days ago) 48 of whom are hospitalised.
Also, Thailand’s Phuket International Airport will be shut from Apr 10 to 30, after Phuket Province sealed its entry points by land and sea, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
