The Thai government said on Thursday that it had discovered 11 more cases of coronavirus, the second time in two weeks that the number of cases hit double digits.
All the new cases were found in state quarantine among Thais returning from Kuwait, according to Government Spokesman Dr Thaweesin Visanuyothin.
The new increase in cases means that total number stands at 3,076 total cases.
No more patient recovered from the disease on Friday, meaning that the total number of discharged patients still stands at 2,945.
There were no new fatalities with the death toll still at 57.
74 people remain in hospital.
There are currently 139 returnees in state quarantine.
Curfew shortened
The Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Friday that the curfew will be shortened by two hours while fitness centers, massage parlors and spas will reopen in Phase 3 of the easing period.
Phase 3 will come into effect on Monday (June 1).
The curfew will now be in place from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., instead of from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., in order to support logistics between provinces.
Fitness and training centers, along with massage parlors and spas will be allowed to reopen in Phase 3; however, face massages and the use of saunas are still prohibited.
Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activities can resume.
Theaters will be permitted to reopen but with a limit of fewer than 200 people per show.
Malls will be allowed to open for an hour longer from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Public schools in major cities will remain closed until July 1. Schools that are not equipped for online learning and schools in rural areas will be allowed to reopen on June 1.
The Ministry of Education is also mulling over the possibility of allowing some international schools to reopen first following requests from these schools.
However, there is no conclusion on the matter yet, said CCSA’s spokesperson Dr Thaweesin Visanuyothin.
Travel restrictions for entering and exiting the kingdom is still intact but travelling between provinces is now permitted.
Pubs, bars and other entertainment venues, such as boxing rings, “could” be allowed to reopen in Phase 4, said the secretary-general of the National Security Council and secretary of the CCSA, Gen Somsak Rungsita on Friday.