BMA wary of Covid second wave as schools, pubs reopen
Bangkok schools and entertainment venues were today identified as a potential source of a second wave of Covid-19 infections when they reopen on Wednesday (July 1). The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) warned city schools and drinking holes to keep their guard up, after other countries saw a surge in cases following the reopening of educational institutions and bars.
Today marked the 40th day in the capital without a single new domestic case of Covid-19, noted BMA spokesperson Pongsakorn Kwanmuang after today’s meeting of the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee. However, the reopening of schools and entertainment venues must be done with caution so as to prevent a fresh outbreak of the disease, he added.
The following six businesses and activities are allowed to open from July 1:
1. Schools, educational institutions and universities.
2. Department stores, shopping centres, community malls, exhibition centres, convention centres, and exhibition venues (10pm closing time).
3. Pubs, bars and karaoke joints – under strict social distancing measures.
4. Restaurants and hotels will be allowed to sell alcohol for an extra hour per day.
5. Internet cafes and gaming shops – under strict opening times with customers limited to 2 hours and cleaning every 15 minutes.
6. Massage parlours – customers must use the ThaiChana platform.
Pongsakorn also outlined “new normal” measures at schools.
"Interaction between children must be kept to a minimum while mealtimes must be scheduled [to avoid canteen overcrowding]. Of all 437 Bangkok schools, 122 will adjust school days or alternate school hours so that some older children can study online lessons provided by large institutions such as Bodindecha Demonstration School under Srinakharinwirot University,” he said.