All people in Thailand are banned from leaving home from 10pm to 4am starting Friday in the government’s latest moves to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the curfew on Thursday evening.
The exceptions are medical and banking personnel, as well as workers handling consumer products, farm goods, pharmaceutical products, medical supplies and equipment, newspapers, petrol, postal parcels, or products to be imported or exported. Movements of people to quarantine places are also allowed.
Other exemptions are people working normal night shifts or those heading to or from airports with necessary documents, or officials working by the announcements or orders and those allowed by officials to leave the house on emergencies.
Violation will result in a jail term of not more than two years and/or a fine not more than 40,000 baht.
For relief measures, Gen Prayut said three funds would be set up to help people affected by the virus measures.
Centres will be set up to distribute face masks. “I won’t let anyone hoard the product and take advantage of people during this difficult time,” he said.
He urged everyone to cooperate for the ultimate goal of “zero”.
