A jittery public surviving at home on a diet of Netflix and wine can rest easy, at least for now: Bangkok has announced no plans to ban alcohol sales.
Panic seized those veiling their cabin fever in a boozy buzz after rumors spread that alcohol would no longer be available starting today. Many likely confused exactly such a measure issued yesterday in the far reaches of Isaan by Sakon Nakhon Gov. Monsit Paisarntanawat.
Though he ordered the northeastern province to ban booze sales today through April 16 to keep people from partying in viral proximity, people in other provinces can still go on buying and drinking and drinking and buying alcohol.
Even from Foodland, which, despite shrill rumors earlier this month, is selling alcohol at its stores. A store representative said they did stop selling for one day because management had misunderstood a government order.
Such restrictions are possible under the state of emergency declared last week, which gives provincial governors full authority to halt activities and businesses they see fit to contain the spread of COVID-19, which as of today has sickened at least 1,651 and killed at least 10 since the outbreak began in January.
We’ll keep you apprised on this important issue. For now, happy crisis-drinking – just don’t overdo it.
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