Thailand Imposes Curfew to Step Up Fight Against Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) --

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha intensified the country’s fight against the novel coronavirus by ordering a nationwide curfew following a surge in infections.

The daily curfew will start Friday and last from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. with exemptions for essential services like medical care and the transportation of fuel supplies, Prayuth said in a televised address to the nation on Thursday.

“This restriction might be an inconvenience but we must adapt to survive,” said Prayuth. “Please follow social distancing guidelines. The goal is to contain this outbreak as soon as possible.”

Officials escalated curbs on daily life through March as confirmed coronavirus cases jumped and the death toll increased. Prayuth has imposed a state of emergency until the end of April, under which social gatherings are banned, domestic travel restricted and all but essential shops shut. The country’s borders are closed to most foreigners.

Curfew violations are punishable by two years in prison and fines of 40,000 baht ($1,213), according to a government statement.

The virus outbreak has put Thailand on course for its worst economic contraction this year since the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s. Tourism and exports have stalled, and a lockdown is sapping consumer confidence.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.