03/05/2020
UPDATE:
Firstly, well done to the people of Phuket. Following the advice has resulted in only 2 deaths from COVID since the start of the pandemic emergency, and one of those was a Hungarian chap who died in a motorcycle accident who just happened to have c-19 as well. Thailand has had 52 deaths from the virus in total so far.
More freedom to move around a bit now, though 5 COVID hotspots on Phuket remain OOB. The main OOBs areas to note area Bangla road and part of Bang Tao. The Bang Tao closure will probably close the western coast road too.
Alcohol sales are permitted now, but only as a take away. Restaurants can open from today but no alcohol sales in there.
Lots of Thai hoping to travel home to their villages (more than 40,000), but will need a 'safe to travel' document from a doctors clinic or hospital, they will then be made to isolate for 14 days and to phone in daily.
Some of the Thai regional airports are open, but passangers must have 'safe to travel' documents and will be made to isolate for 14 days on arrival. If you arrive at an airport without the documents, apparently you will be made to isolate for 14 days also.
The national night curfew remains for the time being.
Some freedoms should start to return to the island over the coming weeks, such as beaches, golf courses and parks reopening. If everyone follows the social distancing advice, the normal freedoms will return soon. Masks will remain a requirement for entering most business or shops for the time being. Only westerners seem to have difficulty in working this one out.
The reason that I started this update with a 'well done Phuket' is that everyone is remaining calm, I havent heard anyone complaining about the restrictions despite many in the towns and cities going hungry. Like a couple of others, we are doing out best to help those in need with food and groceries. If you would like to help by donating, please see post from a couple of days ago. Thank you to those that have donated already, every bit will help us help them.
