The government on Wednesday tightened Covid-19 control measures in the country's most at-risk provinces, with an emphasis on screening people leaving and entering them.
Samut Sakhon, Chon Buri, Rayong, Trat, and Chanthaburi, which had been among 28 provinces named as maximum control zones, have now been renamed "maximum and strict control zones."
Disease control measures will be stepped up in those zones and residents must have the Mor Chana and Thai Chana apps at all times.
Tougher travel restrictions will be imposed in the provinces. More checkpoints will be set up to screen people entering and leaving the zones and those trying to do so must show it is absolutely necessary.
The government also vowed to take action against state officials and anyone else involved in illegal labour smuggling, as well as officials who allowed illegal gambling dens to operate, which has been blamed for new clusters of Covid-19 infections.
The director of the Communicable Diseases Division said new infections were expected to rise over the next two weeks.
These were mostly linked to Samut Sakhon, the epicentre of the new outbreak, gambling dens in Rayong, cockfighting rings in Ang Thong and several entertainment venues in the Pin Klao area of Bangkok.
