By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, May 3 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Thailand today officially reported three new positive COVID-19 cases and zero deaths as it lifted restrictions on six types of businesses and venues.
The number of new daily cases in the kingdom has stayed in the single digits for a week.
However, Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said the figure for today excluded 40 positive cases detected in Yala because they needed further confirmation tests.
“All the 40 cases will undergo another laboratory test today in light of accuracy concerns,” he said at a daily COVID-19 briefing today.
“We are not concealing information but we want to get accurate test results,” he added.
To date, Thailand has recorded 2,969 cases and 54 deaths, while 2,739 cases have recovered and been discharged.
Yala’s Governor Chaiyasit Panitpong said the 40 new cases were detected in four districts in Yala Province – Bannang Sata, Jaha, Raman and Mueng Yala, where a state quarantine facility is located – following active case finding.
“Out of the 311 people who underwent swab tests, 40 tested positive for COVID-19. Most of the patients have a recent history of travel from Malaysia and Bangkok,” he said.
Starting today, six types of businesses and venues in Thailand have reopened as well as resumed alcohol sales.
They are markets, eateries outside shopping malls, wholesale and retail businesses, parks and outdoor sports facilities (not for team sports), barber shops and hair salons (only limited to cut, shampoo and blow), and pet grooming and pet hotels.
The government will observe and evaluate the situation every 14 days and will reinstate the ban if the number of new cases increases.
A check in Bangkok showed that businesses and venues resumed operations with strict measures to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 outbreak.
At eateries and restaurants, body temperature screening will be required before entry, tables are kept 1 metre to 1.5 metres apart, and barriers were installed at payment counters. Besides that, no alcohol consumption is allowed in the premises.
For barber shops and salons, customers are required to make appointments while staff must wear mask and face shield.
Equipment must also be disinfected after every use and the premises will take a break for at least 20 minutes for cleaning every two hours.
For parks, visitors must undergo body temperature screening before entry.