The cabinet is expected to roll out a package of measures to help people and businesses affected by the temporary closure of retail and other businesses in Bangkok and other provinces.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Monday) chaired a meeting of the COVID-19 Situation Management Committee to discuss ways to cushion the impacts of the Government’s drastic anti-COVID-19 measures.
An informed government source said today that the Finance Ministry will propose 4,000 baht, to be given over 2 months to affected workers.
Responding to speculation, that the Government may invoke an emergency decree to deal with the spread of coronavirus, the Prime Minister simply said that he was ready to take drastic action, but added that it was not yet the right time.
The Prime Minister later held a mini cabinet meeting, with the ministers of public health, commerce, interior, foreign affairs, transport and natural resources and environment, to discuss passengers who are now not allowed to stop over in Bangkok during transit flights.
Meanwhile, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has decided to close all national parks from Wednesday for an indefinite period.
The closure is to protect park officials and tourists from the virus, said Mr. Sompote Maneerat, the department’s spokesman.
Tourists, who have made advance bookings at lodgings in the parks, can seek a refund by contacting the accommodation reservations section.
Siriraj Hospital has suspended out of hours clinics, starting Tuesday, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
