Thailand’s Chonburi and Phuket order hotel closures

Thai provincial governments have toughened up measures to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country by ordering temporary hotel closures.

The Thai Hotels Association confirmed with TTG Asia that five provinces have issued closure directives to date, with the latest being Chonburi province, home to the city of Pattaya; and Phuket. The decision, however, does not extend to the whole country.

Affected hotels will be able to claim financial aid from the Thai Social Security Fund for their formally-employed, full-time staff.

Prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday issued a directive blocking all travel to Thailand, including those by Thais, with immediate effect until April 15 to allow the nation time to prepare “state quarantine” facilities after more local infections were linked to imported cases.

MMP