Update: After widespread criticism, the governor of Nonthaburi on Tuesday afternoon withdrew the order allowing some establishments to reopen.
One of the first provinces to impose a curfew, Nonthaburi, which comprises northwest metro Bangkok, will be the first to ease lockdown measures and resume some economic activity, such as allowing barbershops and lottery stalls to reopen tomorrow.
Nonthaburi Gov. Sujin Chaichumsak announced that the province, starting Wednesday, would phase out shutdown orders for some stores and establishments to allow people to resume to their usual routine while the province extended a ban on booze sales from April 20 to the end of the month.
Booze now banned nationwide. Find out for how long in each province.
Nonthaburi, according to Department of Disease Control, has confirmed 147 cases of COVID-19, though the real number is likely much higher due to limited testing. It has reported the third most cases after Bangkok (1,280 cases) and Phuket (178 cases). Four new cases were reported there Saturday.
Sujin’s plan to reopen some stores and establishments includes barbershops, lottery stalls, office equipment stores, furniture stores, mobile phone service shops, courier services and construction material sellers. However, the stores and services must provide hand-sanitizers for customers, require that customers wear face masks and enforce at least 1-meter distance between each customer.
Despite the reopenings, barbershops still cannot use any razor blades while barbers must wear a face shield and a pair of gloves at all times, Sujin said.
It was unclear what the medical basis was for that advice or the governor’s decision.
Under the state of emergency declared last month, provincial governors have broad leeway to take steps deemed necessary to stem the coronavirus outbreak, which has sicked thousands and killed dozens in Thailand.
