Thailand bans alcohol sales in restaurants to curb Covid spread

Thailand bans alcohol sales in restaurants to curb Covid spread
BANGKOK – Thailand indefinitely suspended a quarantine-free visa programme for vaccinated visitors and ordered a ban on the sale of alcohol at restaurants in areas deemed at high risk of Covid infections to curb the spread of the omicron variant.
The nation’s main virus task force spared Bangkok, Phuket and six other tourist destinations from harsh containment measures, but banned alcohol consumption at restaurants and other commercial establishments after 21:00, Taweesilp Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the task force, said at a briefing.
Overseas visitors already holding valid visas for the quarantine waiver would still be able to enter the country, Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said in a statement at the weekend.
Travellers who had already received approvals under the government’s ‘Test and Go’ programme may still enter the country with their approved length of stay, Thanakorn said, reversing an earlier announcement that set an entry deadline of January 15.
The government will closely monitor the situation and consider the number of cases and risk factors in adjusting measures, Thanakorn added.
Thailand reported 8, 263 new infections on Saturday, the highest single-day tally since October 31, and a fifth straight day of increase. Daily cases have jumped in the last week after falling to a six-month low before Christmas.
Health officials have warned that cases may rise rapidly following the New Year celebrations and community spread of the omicron strain.
The tourism-reliant nation had relaxed most of its restrictions on businesses and lifted a mandatory quarantine requirement for immunised travellers late last year to revive an economy battered by the pandemic. But omicron has derailed the government’s plan to boost the travel sector and the economy.
“The new restrictions won’t affect domestic economic activities significantly. The tourism sector that relies on international arrivals however will be hurt the most,” said Rachot Leingchan, analyst at Bank of Ayudhya Pcl’s research unit. “Stimulus steps to boost domestic consumption will still play a key role in the recovery, and exports will continue to be a bright spot in the economy.” – BLOOMBERG NEWS.