Night entertainment venues nationwide remain shut until at least mid-January, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) says.
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the CCSA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to defer by another month a plan to allow pubs, bars and karaokes to reopen on Dec 1.
The new tentative reopening date was set for Jan 16 and only for some areas.
Since the country reopened on Nov 1, alcoholic drinks have been allowed only in restaurants in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket.
Operators of the night entertainment venues have been asking the government to lift the alcohol ban in 17 tourism provinces and to allow pubs, bars and karaokes nationwide to reopen on Dec 1.
They hoped for the business resumption after Gen Prayut's Oct 11 speech on reopening the country.
"By Dec 1, we will also consider allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants, as well as the reopening of entertainment venues under appropriate health precautions to support the revitalisation of the tourism and leisure sectors, especially during the new year period," he said.
Dr Taweesilp said on Friday the Covid task force remained worried that the reopening of night entertainment businesses could lead to more infections. Inadequate ventilation and congestion were among its key concerns, he added.
