Thailand May Ease Partial Lockdown in Early May in Virus-Free Areas

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand may ease its partial national lockdown starting from early May in provinces that are free of novel coronavirus infections.

Only provinces clear of the pathogen for two weeks would be eligible, Kamnuan Ungchusak, an adviser to the nation’s health minister, told reporters Monday. The proposal will undergo further evaluation, he said.

The Asian nation is under a state of emergency that expires at the end of April, and officials are working on a plan for restarting shuttered businesses while preserving social distancing. The lockdown is contributing to a sharp economic slowdown and millions of people have lost their jobs.

Measures such as screening and quarantining travelers from overseas, limiting social gatherings and wearing masks will need to continue, Kamnuan said.

Some 35 of Thailand’s 77 provinces haven’t reported any cases for two weeks, while nine haven’t detected any at all, according to the Health Ministry. The Bangkok region accounts for about half of all infections, with Phuket the next largest cluster.

Thailand on Monday reported the fewest new coronavirus cases in more than a month. Officials detected 27 infections, taking the total to 2,792. There were no new deaths for the third straight day, leaving fatalities at 47.

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