BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA) – Thailand on Friday confirmed
the country’s fifth coronavirus-related death. The victim was described as a
Muslim man who returned from attending a religious gathering in Malaysia.
The 50-year-old man was a resident of the southern province
of Narathiwat, one of the eight provinces where preventive measures would be
stepped up, said Dr. Taweesilp Wisanuyotin, spokesman of the administration
centre for Covid-19.
The centre was established by Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha to exercise his power under the state of emergency declared on
Thursday.
Ninety one new cases had been confirmed, bringing the total
number of to 1,136, he said.
Dr. Taweesilp said that other seven provinces that would be
under more stringent measures included Bangkok, Chon Buri, Ubon Ratchathani,
Phuket Songkhla, Pattani and Yala.
More road checkpoints will be set up in addition to the 359
put in place across the country since Thursday to perform health screening and
intercept smuggling, according to the center.
When asked whether the government will impose a curfew, Dr.
Taweesilp said that the meeting on Friday did not discuss the possibility of a
curfew.
Instead of declaring a curfew, the centre urged people to
heed social distancing and stop public gathering, he said. Provincial governors had the authority to
order closure of any public places to prevent the spread of the virus, added
Dr. Taweesilp.
The Thai government declares state of emergency from March
26 and April 30 in order to enforce tougher measures to control the coronavirus
outbreak.(TNA)
