2021 countdowns can be held under Covid-prevention guidelines: Anutin
In this era of Covid-19, New Year countdowns can only be held under the government’s laws and regulations, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday.
As for the Big Mountain Music Festival in Nakhon Ratchasima province, which was cancelled for not following Covid-19 control measures, he said the provincial governor has to decide on whether the organisers should be sued.
Governor Wichian Chantaranothai had instructed Pak Chong police officers to take legal action against the organisers for violating orders to keep the Ocean Khao Yai resort closed. The organisers may face up to a year in prison and/or Bt100,000 in fines.
"In order to curb the spread of Covid-19, people must proceed under government laws and recommendations, while those who violate the law create problems for others,” Anutin said, adding that people can organise events, including countdowns, provided they follow the regulations.
As for those who attended the Big Mountain Music Festival, the minister said they should isolate themselves for 14 days and see the doctor immediately if they have respiratory symptoms.
“Life will return to normal when the vaccine arrives,” Anutin said, adding that these measures have nothing to do with politics.
“Covid-19 is more worrisome than the state of politics, so we have to strictly enforce laws to protect people from infection,” he said.
