Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed 89 new coronavirus cases on Saturday; the largest single-day rise of cases since the outbreak began in January.
The new confirmed cases bring the total number of cases inside Thailand to 411.
The majority of new cases stem from two places, a boxing match at Lumpini stadium in Bangkok and entertainment venues in Bangkok’s trendy Thonglor district.
The ministry also announced 6 new cases of Covid-19 from a group of Thais who traveled to Malaysia for a Mosque event.
The ministry today asked young people who were still going out and mingling to stop as they were responsible for the outbreak and were spreading the disease to at-risk groups.
Malls closed
Bangkok’s Governor Asawin Kwanmuang and the Coronavirus Outbreak Action Committee ordered the closure of all Bangkok malls and markets from March 22 – April 12, after Saturday’s numbers were revealed.
Only supermarkets, pharmacies, and takeaway restaurants will be allowed to stay open at the malls.
Places, where groups of people congregate, will also be asked to close including internet cafes, spas, golf courses, driving ranges, massage parlours and more.
The action committee said they were looking into further shutdowns and were investigating which businesses could stay open and which must be closed temporarily.
Thailand’s cabinet this past week approved the shutdown of entertainment venues across Bangkok until the end of March.
Clubs, bars, sporting events, were shuttered to help fight against the outbreak.