Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya have intensified their COVID-19 control measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Chiang Mai provincial communicable disease control committee has advised people to avoid travelling to five districts considered as COVID-19 hotspots.
The five districts are Muang, San Sai, Hang Dong, Saraphi and San Kamphaeng where the caseload exceeds 50.
It has also imposed a ban on activities with more than 50 people and prohibited the serving of alcoholic beverages in restaurants.
Self-service is not allowed in buffet restaurants which are required to deploy staff to serve food and drinks.
Restaurants can allow customers to eat in until 9pm and offer takeaway services until 11pm.
All convenience stores and supermarkets must close between 11pm – 4am and gyms must close at 9pm.
The private sector is also urged to adopt the work-from-home policy until 30th April as Chiang Mai province hopes the stringent measures will be able to contain COVID-19 in two weeks.
People who fail to comply with the measures, effective from 15th April onward, are subject to a two-year jail term and/or a fine of 40,000 baht under the communicable disease control law.
In Phuket, deputy governor Piyapong Chuwong said all schools in the province are instructed to switch to online classes.
While schools are allowed to organise exams, they must put in place stringent COVID-19 measures.
He said teams from the Emergency Operation Centre will also be dispatched to hotels and make sure that guests fully comply with the disease control measures.
Meanwhile, Pattaya mayor Sontaya Kunplome has announced major traditional events related to Songkran set for tomorrow and Monday will be cancelled due to potential overcrowding.
They are the famous Wan Lai Naklua Festival, aka Pattaya Flowing Day, and Kong Khao ritual which is a local tradition of offering to spirits.
The Pattaya Music Festival, earlier set for late April, has also been postponed indefinitely.
However, the kite festival and SME Connext goods expo would be allowed to go on until Monday as planned as they are held on the beach, not in enclosed areas, and social distancing can be observed.
