TAT update: Thailand strengthens COVID-19 control measures to contain local transmission

Bangkok, 4 January, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update regarding the Royal Thai Government’s announcement on the strengthened COVID-19 control measures to contain local transmission.

Effective from 4 January, 2021, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has declared 28 provinces as “highly controlled areas” following a surge in community transmission. These include the capital Bangkok and (region by region) Central: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri and Suphan Buri; West: Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Ratchaburi, and Tak; East: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo and Trat, and South: Chumphon and Ranong.

The strengthened restrictions, which are imposed across the highly controlled areas, are:

  • Closure of educational institutions at all levels. Exceptions for the utilisation of educational areas are made for e-learning activities, emergency shelters, or government activities.
  • Ban on any gatherings that would pose a risk of disease transmission; such as, meetings, seminars, banquets, or charity food donations (except ones organised by government agencies).
  • Closure of at-risk venues, including entertainment businesses of all types; such as, pubs, bars, or karaoke.
  • Limit the operating hours of businesses:
  • Food outlets and restaurants must apply social distancing rules or consider providing only delivery or takeaway services;
    • Alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed at food outlets or restaurants, though takeaway is allowed;
    • Shopping malls, department stores, community malls, convention centres or exhibition halls, convenience marts, supermarkets or similar services can open per usual operating hours but must apply strict disease control measures.
  • The Bangkok governor and provincial governors to impose specific disease control measures according to the level of risk.
  • The public are encouraged to cancel or postpone interprovincial travel at this time, or must undergo strict screening measures, which may cause inconvenience.
  • The private-sector organisations are encouraged to allow work from home options.

In addition, the CCSA has classified 11 provinces as the “controlled areas”; namely (region by region), Central: Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun and Uthai Thani; North: Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai; Northeast: Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, and Nakhon Ratchasima, and South: Phang Nga and Surat Thani.


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The remaining 38 provinces are classified as areas under high surveillance.

All provinces in the controlled areas and areas under high surveillance are to impose specific COVID-19 control measures depending on the level of risk as part of the nationwide efforts.

The CCSA has advised the public to take DMHTT precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, and T – Thai Chana contact tracing application.

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