By Linda Khoo
BANGKOK, May 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Shopping malls and retail premises in Thailand have begun preparations for reopening which is expected to fall on Sunday as the COVID-19 situation in the kingdom continues to improve.
Thursday, Thailand reported just one new COVID-19 case and zero fatalities, bringing the total to 3,018 cases and 56 deaths.
The government has signalled that the second phase of relaxation that will include the reopening of shopping malls, restaurants and food courts in buildings, retail and wholesale shops could happen on Sunday.
A check by Bernama found staff at major shopping malls in Bangkok busy making preparations including cleaning and disinfecting, installing temperature screening machines, rearranging seating at food courts and restaurants.
Siam Piwat’s Senior Executive Vice President of Operations Naratipe Ruttapradit said its retail properties – Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery and ICONSIAM have been the pioneering retailers to implement maximum health and safety measures on its customers and employees.
“We are preparing for the reopening under the government guidelines. We have maintained and strengthened our health and hygiene measures at maximum and strictest levels. We also encourage the public to practice and strictly adhere to preventive measures,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha will chair a meeting tomorrow to finalise the businesses and venues to be reopened.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Siam Paragon Shopping Centre for a health and safety inspection.
He said the government is easing some restrictions but added that public health and safety were always its top priority.
“Thais are doing well and giving cooperation to curb COVID-19 outbreak which has seen Thailand recording low number of new cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said the government will launch a new mobile app – Thai Chana (Thais will be victorious) tomorrow for customer tracking.
He said customers will scan a QR code at premises before and after entry.