Thailand imposes tougher Covid-19 curbs, including Bangkok curfew

July 12, 2021 / 8:37 AM

A nurse administers a dose of vaccine at a hospital in Narathiwat

Sharjah24 - AFP: Thai authorities announced a seven-hour night curfew across the capital Bangkok and nine provinces on Friday, along with other tougher restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The kingdom recorded 9,276 new daily cases and 72 fatalities as it battles a severe third wave of infections that kicked off in April.

An official from the government's coronavirus taskforce announced the ramped-up restrictions following an hours-long meeting on Friday.

A curfew from 9 pm to 4 am will begin Monday and people should work from home.

The announcement affects the capital of more than 10 million people as well as surrounding and southern provinces.

"We apologise for difficulties of people living in areas with maximum restrictions, but this will support disease control efficiently. Thailand will be victorious," said Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the taskforce.

"Unnecessary travel will be prohibited."

Residents are barred from gathering in groups of more than five people, while public transport networks will shut down from 9 pm each night.

Supermarkets, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and electronics stores within malls can stay open but other shops must close.

Air Asia announced on Friday evening it was suspending domestic flights in Thailand for the rest of July in order to cooperate with government efforts to reduce inter-provincial travel.