BANGKOK (AP) – The Thai tourist city of Pattaya and the surrounding district were closed on Wednesday as the country continues to face an intense coronavirus outbreak.
Health workers sprayed restaurants and other establishments as part of preventive measures.
The governor ordered the closure of non-essential stores in Banglamung district, Chonburi province, which includes Pattaya, southeast of Bangkok. Restaurants can only take away food. The province has also closed schools and ordered convenience stores to be closed 24 hours a day between 10pm and 5am.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha visited the city on Wednesday to give his support to health workers at quarantine centers.
Thai media reported that he expressed concern about the effect the new restrictions will have on Pattaya’s economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism, but said it was necessary to focus on controlling the spread of Pattaya. virus.
Thai officials on Wednesday reported 250 new cases of coronavirus, including 241 local transmissions.
After months of seeming to be in control of the COVID-19 situation, Thailand has seen two large clusters develop since mid-December. One has mainly infected hundreds of migrant workers from Myanmar in a seafood market near Bangkok, while in recent days another cluster has connected to a gambling den in an eastern province.
Bangkok has been designated a Zone 2 zone, meaning that more than 10 new cases have been confirmed and the number is likely to increase.
Earlier this week, Bangkok officials announced new restrictions, including the closure of some entertainment facilities, during the New Year holidays.
Thailand has confirmed a total of 6,690 cases, including 61 deaths.