A total lockdown and 24-hour curfew is not imminent, the Deputy Minister of Interior told reporters late Monday, after rumours of a lockdown circulated on social media.
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior released a memo on Sunday telling provincial governments to step up its readiness prompting speculation that a nationwide provincial lockdown and a 24-hour curfew was imminent.
The memo, marked ‘urgent,’ told provincial governments to prepare local quarantine areas, store food and necessities, prepare field hospitals, and make sure locals understand the government measures.
But Deputy Interior Minister Nipon Boonyamanee said that the rumours were “fake news” and that citizens should pay them no heed.
“The memo was for provincial governments to step up their readiness, the Ministry of Interior has no authority to implement such extreme measures,” Nipon said.
However, several MPs inside the ruling coalition told Thai Enquirer that a lockdown has been considered by the cabinet and that a 24 hour curfew will be implemented should the situation worsen.
Thailand saw 51 more coronavirus cases on Monday, the lowest rise in two weeks.
