Thailand to enter partial lockdown to combat COVID-19

Thailand's newly established ad hoc committee managing the COVID-19 situation on Monday announced a partial lockdown of the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will roll out several measures including the shutdown of boxing stadia, pubs, bars and movie theatres, until the situation returns to normal, and the postponement of the traditional Songkran holidays from April to July.

"These measures will be submitted to the cabinet for approval on Tuesday," said Prayut on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who also serves as deputy prime minister, insisted that Thailand is still in the second phase of the outbreak.

"But Thailand needs to impose stringent measures to prevent it from entering the third phase," Anutin told the media.