BANGKOK, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Interior has on Monday announced temporary closure of venues in Bangkok's five neighboring provinces in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak.
The five provinces include Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.
The measures which took effect on Monday and will end of April 12, were similar to Bangkok city's recent instruction to close shopping malls, sport gyms, and beauty salons.
On-site dining is also banned.
However, food shops and restaurants can open for take-out orders and home delivery.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health's Disease Control Department has instructed all provincial governors to screen, track and arrange preventive measures in an attempt to limit possible further spread of COVID-19.
The measures include setting up volunteer teams at district and village levels to monitor Thai returnees from other countries; informing returnees of the need to isolate themselves and to avoid close contact with other people, including their family members, and the need to monitor their health for 14 days after arrival; strict compliance with the advice of health officials, such as frequent hand cleansing; the wearing of face masks and seeking medical advice if they develop a fever or difficulty breathing.
Bangkok and all major provinces across Thailand have rolled out stringent measures, banning mass gathering and imposed temporary closures of venues since Sunday.
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health on Monday reported 122 new cases of COVID-19, tallying 721.
The ministry issued grave warnings that should people not observe rules of staying at home, Thailand's virus outbreak will become uncontrollable.
