THE Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman said today (10.5.2020) that the phase 2 relaxation of the coronavirus lockdown will be considered at a full meeting on May 15 but there will not be trial reopening of shopping malls on May 14-15, PostToday reported.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman, said several forms of relaxing the curbs in phase 2 will be considered at this meeting but it is certain that movie halls will not be released from the lockdown in the next phase.
The full meeting has to decide which sets of activities are to be set free in phases 2, 3 and 4, he said, adding that overall arrangement will be made according to the risk of infection.
“If everything is ready for reopening in phase 2 that means the situation will return to normal quickly but movie halls are not in the second phase,” he said.
Dr Taweesin mentioned that shopping malls are open today, but only 20% of their full area. This might be expanded to 30 to 50% depending on activities to be freed from the lockdown but only the full panel can decide this issue with the small one not having the authority to do so.
Most important is that the number of patients does not increase as the authorities have to succeed in controlling this pandemic and keep the number of new patients in single digit for a long time, he added.
The six risk groups are medical personnel, those placed in quarantine, public transport drivers, postal and delivery personnel, foreign workers, and those who work in risky places such as pubs, bars and other entertainment venues. People in these six groups have to be tested for this infection periodically.
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Top: A solitary shopper sitting on a bench at The Mall Bangkapi after the government ordered closure of unsafe places including shopping centres to control the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: PostToday
