Thailand will consider reopening bars earlier than planned after the number of new COVID-19 infections fell to the fewest in four months.
Earlier this month, Thailand’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said it would be January 16 next year before bars and other nighttime entertainment venues would be able to open.
However, on Friday the secretary-general of the National Security Council Supot Malaniyom said that a proposal will be considered next week that could see bars given the green light to open earlier than scheduled.
Mr Supot ruled out bars opening from December 1 but said the proposals to reopen were “really good” and said there is “a chance” the reopening would be brought forward.
If approved, venues with SHA or equivalent safety measures would likely be able to reopen.
Meanwhile, CCSA spokesperson Apisamai Srirangson urged venues to register for the SHA certification, adding that any early reopening will “depend on the readiness venues” to be able to create a COVID-19 free setting.
The CCSA is also set to consider adding more countries to its list of places eligible for quarantine free travel from December 1.
More than 50,000 tourists have now visited Thailand since the country opened to tourism on November 1.
On Friday the Health Ministry revealed that 65% of people in Thailand had now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 53% have received two doses.
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