Thailand: Red-zone shopping hours cut further

• Apr 24, 2021

Operating hours of shopping malls, supermarkets and convenience stores will be shortened further in 18 high-risk provinces in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the Thai Retailers Association (TRA) said on Saturday.

In addition, 42 provinces have now made mask-wearing in public mandatory, while officials in Nonthaburi are asking — but not yet ordering — residents to stay home from 9pm to 4am.

Starting on Sunday, the TRA said, shopping malls and community malls in 18 provinces will be open from 11am to 8pm; supermarkets and food courts must close at 9pm, and convenience stores must close from 10pm to 5am. The new hours will be in effect until May 2.

The changes apply in the following “red zone” provinces: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Sa Kaew, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Tak and Udon Thani.

Yon Pokesap, president of the Thai Shopping Centres Association (TSCA), said that promotional activities at malls, which draw people together, would continue to be banned.

As well, he said, more staff of member businesses will be asked to work from home if possible.

The TSCA membership includes MBK, The Mall Group, Central Pattana, Siam Retail Development, The Platinum Group, Seacon Development, Siam Future Development, Siam Piwat Group and KE Land.

In Nonthaburi, the provincial administration said it was asking residents for “cooperation” to not leave their homes from 9pm to 4am unless they have a good reason. As well, people are being asked not to eat together in groups.

Provincial authorities have also expanded the list of establishments required to stay closed in order to reduce virus transmission risk. It includes entertainment places such as pubs, bars, karaokes, bathing houses, massage parlours and others; gaming shops; water and amusement parks, including those at malls; amulet centres; swimming pools; cock- or fish-fighting rings or any animal training or competition sites.

Also in Nonthaburi, Bangkruai Hospital announced it would be closed from Monday to tend to existing Covid patients with moderate to severe symptoms.

The 60-bed community facility said that under no circumstances would it accept accident or general patients. People can seek medical services from tambon health promotion hospitals for Bang Kruai and Bang Khun Kong from 8am to 6pm.

Meanwhile, mask-wearing in both indoor and outdoor public spaces is now compulsory in 42 provinces, according to the Ministry of Interior. Violators can be fined up to 20,000 baht. The provinces are:

CENTRAL

Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Kanchanaburi (only at markets, flea markets and floating markets), Nonthaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Suphan Buri

EAST

Chon Buri, Trat

NORTH

Lamphun, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit

NORTHEAST

Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yasothon

SOUTH

Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phangnga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang, Yala.