Roving musicians, pub hoppers to blame for nightclub Covid-19 clusters
Bangkok authorities decided on Monday evening to temporarily shut down all night venues in three areas of the capital after several proved to be Covid-19 hotspots as of Saturday.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced at 8.30pm on Monday that the Communicable Disease Committee had decided to close all entertainment venues in Khlong Toei, Wattana (Thong Lor and Ekkamai) and Bang Khae districts until April 19.
The authorities have been assessing the situation over the past three days and have so far examined 1,177 cases in the Khlong Toei and Wattana (Thong Lor and Ekkamai) areas. Of them, 118 have tested positive, 329 negative and 720 cases are awaiting results. Meanwhile, 27 people were found infected in the Bang Khae area.
Entertainment venues quickly became Covid hotspots because bargoers have been pub hopping and musicians moving from one venue to another.
For instance, on March 13 a university student contracted the virus, but then on March 16, the student went to the Chobdao Prangpraw Na KomKueng pub in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area, where five more cases were found. On the same night, the student went to Booze Up shop in Pathum Thani, where six cases were found.
Separately, on March 17 eight Covid-19 cases were found at the Moon Bar in Nonthaburi.
A group of five musicians began getting ill on March 22 and tested positive for the virus on March 26. Their movements were tracked as follows:
March 14: Huarannam shop in Bangkok’s Petchkasem 81
March 16: The Lounge, Nakhon Pathom
March 17: Mary Sanambinnam, Nonthaburi
March 18: Lert Lhao, Phutthamonthon Sai 2
March 19: Next 69 in Bua Khwan Market, Nonthaburi
March 20: Next Studio, Khao San Road, Bangkok
Seven Covid-19 cases were detected at The Lounge in Nakhon Pathom, five of whom were visitors, one staff member and one close contact.
Meanwhile, the following venues in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area and Chatuchak proved to be clusters:
Krystal Club Thonglor25: 21 cases (11 visitors, three close contacts of the visitors and seven members of staff)
Baan Phahol Café & Bar, Chatuchak: Three cases (two visitors and one close contact)
Ekamai Beer House, Sukhumvit Soi 63: Eight cases (two visitors and six close contacts)
BAR BAR BAR and Dollar Bangkok, Thong Lor: Five cases (four visitors and one close contact)
Cassette Music Bar and Pub Dirty, Ekkamai: Three cases, all visitors.