Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) - A meeting of Thailand’s Covid-19 Administration Centre,chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, approved a motion to postpone theSongkran holidays from April 13-15 to later dates.
Thai Deputy Government SpokeswomanRachada Thanadirek tweeted on March 16 the cancellation is aimed at “increasingsocial distance” and “minimising public movement both domestically andinternationally”.
The compensating holidayswill be announced later, she added.
Songkarn parties have been called off in manyThai localities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai and Khon Kaen amidthe COVID-19 outbreak.
Thailand on March 16 confirmed 33 newCOVID-cases, the most on any single day in the country, raising the total to147.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on March 15 appealedfor calm as escalating fears over Covid-19 are driving people to stockpile foodand other daily necessities, saying the Government ensures the supply ofessential products.
Meanwhile,Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16 declared an ‘enhancedcommunity quarantine’ over the entire Luzon, wheremore than half ofthe Philippinepopulation resides.
On March 15, Duterte also placed the entire Metro Manila undera 30-day community quarantine.
Over the past 10 days, thenumber of COVID-19 cases in the country jumped from three to 140, with deathtoll at 12./.
VNA
