Thailand further eases COVID-19 restriction amid rising vaccination levels

By Agencies Published: Oct 15, 2021 09:05 AM

A citizen receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 13, 2021. Thailand on Thursday reported 11,276 new COVID-19 cases and 112 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, according to Thailand's Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.Photo:Xinhua

Citizens receive COVID-19 vaccines in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 13, 2021. Thailand on Thursday reported 11,276 new COVID-19 cases and 112 more fatalities in the last 24 hours, according to Thailand's Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.Photo:Xinhua

Thailand announced on Thursday a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions nationwide starting from Oct. 16, as the country's immunization rates have been increasing recently.

According to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the night-time curfew will be reduced to four hours from 11.00 p.m. to 3.00 a.m. Moreover, the number of "dark red" provinces which are under maximum control will be cut down from 29 to 23 provinces.

Meanwhile, the number of "red zone" or areas with maximum control will also reduce from 37 to 30, indicating the country's overall improving and stabilizing control over COVID-19 situation, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said.

The CCSA also announced more relaxation on eateries, flea markets, all kinds of sports facilities, shopping centers and movie theaters by permitting their operating hours to be extended to 10.00 p.m.

Trade fairs, convention and exhibition centers and hotels are permitted to organize meetings up to 500 people per event, according to the CCSA.

Thailand has eased some restrictive measures since Oct.1, including reopening of certain businesses, and fewer curfew hours as part of a plan to gradually phase out COVID-19 curbs and reboot the economy.

To date, Thailand has administered over 62.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with around 34 percent of its nearly 70 million population having been fully vaccinated.

Thailand recorded 11,276 new COVID-19 cases and 112 more deaths over the previous 24 hours, taking the total figures to 1,751,704 infections and 18,029 fatalities.