On Thursday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced that the government would reduce the number of Covid-19 control (orange) zones, designating them close surveillance (yellow) areas.
On Jan 24, approved premises that serve food would be allowed to serve drinks until late.
From Monday, the number of orange zones would drop from 69 to 44, said CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin. There are currently no yellow zones.
The government decided on this new measure because of the improvement of Covid-19 cases in the country.
The number of tourism pilot (blue) zones will remain the same – eight whole provinces and parts of 18 other provinces.
The 25 close surveillance (yellow) provinces will be Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Bung Kan, Pattani, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Yala, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Ang Thong, Amnat Charoen, Uttaradit and Uthai Thani.
The eight tourism pilot provinces are Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phangnga, and Phuket.
Up to 500 people can gather in orange zones and 1,000 in yellow zones. Both zones can use school buildings, with disease control measures in place.
Eateries can open in all zones, but alcohol consumption is not allowed at eateries in orange zones.
In blue and yellow zones, alcohol consumption at eateries that meet disease control standards would be extended from 9 pm to 11 pm.
Convenience stores and markets can open as usual in all zones.
Exhibition and convention centers and the likes in shopping centers and hotels can hold events with no more than 1,000 participants in orange zones. The restriction does not apply to the two other zones.
The CCSA did not extend its work-from-home policy beyond Jan 31, Dr. Taweesilp said.
