Restaurants and street food vendors in Bangkok will be ordered to shut its doors to clients between 7pm – 6am and offer only takeaway options, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Monday.
However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha rescinded the orders on the very same day and said restaurants can stay open until 9pm.
“I have received word from various restaurants saying that they will be highly affected by it so I have cancelled the BMA’s order that was made today for now,” he said.
“I want the restaurants to be able to stay open for dining until 9 PM.”
The prime minister said the other parts of the orders still stand.
During daytime service, the restaurant must ensure the highest hygiene standards and observe social distancing for customers.
The capital is one of the 28 provinces that are in partial lockdown where high-risk venues for spreading the coronavirus are temporarily closed until further notice.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said earlier that local administrations can decide on several measures by themselves, including which areas would be under the stricter restrictions and which areas might be allowed to be open.
The central government’s orders which came into effect on Monday still allow for restaurants in the 28 provinces to open normally but with strict prevention measures.
BMA spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang said that no alcoholic drinks can be served inside the restaurants.
The order will come into effect on Tuesday morning at 6 am.