Coronavirus: Thailand mulls longer hours for pubs, bars as Covid cases drop

Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy has been easing travel and economic restrictions to kick-start growth as new infections have dropped

Covid-19 infections dropped to 2,153 on Thursday, down from more than 20,000 per day reported in April

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Customers at the outside seating areas of bars and restaurants in the Patpong entertainment district of Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 3:50pm, 16 Jun 2022Updated: 4:38pm, 16 Jun 2022

Thailand may allow bars, pubs and other entertainment venues to remain open beyond midnight as the tourism-reliant nation unwinds pandemic-era restrictions to bolster its economy.

The country’s main Covid-19 task force will consider a proposal on Friday to scrap the mandatory closure of the nightlife entertainment venues at 12am, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters on Thursday. Businesses must still adhere to local rules, which may differ among provinces, he said.

The panel will also discuss the expansion of safe Covid-19 areas, or the so-called green zones, where the outbreak has subsided in recent weeks, he said.

Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy has been easing travel and economic restrictions to kick-start growth as new infections have dropped. The relaxations comes as tourism-dependent countries scramble and compete to woo travellers amid accelerating inflation and sagging consumption.

“It’s time to bring back some normal activities with serious risk of Covid-19 to the public health having receded,” said Anutin. The panel will also discuss declaring more safe areas, or the so-called green zones, where the virus outbreak has subsided in recent weeks, he said.

The Health Ministry will also review guidelines for mask wearing in public places, including exceptions for outdoor activities, he said.

New Covid-19 infections dropped to 2,153 on Thursday, down from more than 20,000 per day reported in April.