All businesses and venues that remain suspended under the current lockdown measures will be allowed to reopen from July 1st, announced Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today.
The announcement follows recommendations that bars, pubs, and entertainment venues be allowed to open again from the beginning of next month. However, the decision also includes every other business type that is yet to open, including wet, or soapy, massage houses.
Dr. Visanuyothin said that regulations for the next round of reopenings had already been drafted, and “complete relaxation will occur.”
The final set of businesses and venues to reopen were categorized as “very high risk,” however, their closure has had a severe negative impact on the economy with some groups of people such as musicians and entertainers strongly appealing for entertainment venues to open again.
As part of the next stage, pubs, bars, and karaoke venues can reopen but must follow a set of 22 rules during the initial opening phase.
Video game areas and arcades may also open again, but cannot sell any food or beverages.
Soapy massage houses and venues offering bath or sauna massage services may open again. However, staff must wear face masks and observe social distancing except when giving the wet massage.
Customers at wet massage houses will also need to check-in via the ThaiChana application or log their visit in a book at the entrance.
Dr. Visanuyothin also said all massage houses would need to follow body temperature screening rules, regular cleaning, and maintain one month of surveillance camera footage.
He continued by clarifying that surveillance cameras would cover public areas of wet massage parlors.
Source: Bangkok Post
