The Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is set to reopen businesses considered high risk in Phase 3 of the easing period.
The CCSA committee in charge of the easing of lockdown measures will meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss which businesses and activities will be allowed to reopen in the next phase.
“This would also include businesses and activities with high risk as well. I cannot tell you what they are now but from what I heard, there are many of them,” said CCSA’s spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin on Wednesday morning.
The committee will propose their recommendations to the CCSA meeting on Friday. If approved, Phase 3 can come into effect on May 31, and 14 days after, Phase 4 can begin on June 14.
The first and second phases already include the reopening of small air-conditioned businesses such as hairdressers and larger ones such as department stores. These were considered to be businesses and activities with low to medium risk level of infection.
Following the cabinet’s decision on Tuesday, the State of Emergency (SOE) was extended to June 30.
Thailand has consistently reported single-digit figures of new daily confirmed coronavirus cases for the past few weeks. Most cases were Thais returning to the country and testing positive while under mandatory state quarantine.
Phase 3 and 4
Local reports said Phase 3 could involve the reopening of massage parlours and businesses related to domestic tourism.
Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan said on Tuesday that his ministry will propose plans to reopen domestic tourism in June for the CCSA’s consideration on Friday’s meeting.
When asked if domestic tourism will be allowed in Phase 3, Dr Taweesin said: “it should be in accordance with what local news has reported but this is not a confirmation until the proposal enters CCSA’s meeting this week.”
Boxing rings and bars, which were found to be hotspots for infection, are expected to reopen in Phase 4, which will come into effect on June 14.
Domestic travelling will be permitted to resume during the lockdown, according to Dr Taweesin.
As for the entry ban, Dr Taweesin said that Thailand will likely follow in the footsteps of Japan, who recently expanded its entry ban to 11 nations on Monday.
Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob said on Tuesday that the Prime Minister has instructed his ministry to prepare for domestic and overseas flights resuming operation.
He said the ministry is now mulling over the MOU option for specific countries with lower infection risks before opening up the airspace completely.
“Each country will have to send their inspectors, similar to diplomats, to deal with visas and other related travel documents, along with inspection on health and safety measures,” he added.
However, he did not say when the country will lift the ban on international flights to and from the country. Currently, the ban has been extended until midnight on June 30.
