Folks trapped in Phuket as a result of Covid-19 lockdown began leaving Phuket on Friday, nevertheless their efforts had been thwarted when the lockdown was reimposed. The highway from Phuket to Tha Chatchai was jam-packed with automobiles from early morning, stretching again a number of kilometres. With individuals anxious to move residence as quickly as attainable.
However then Phuket made a sudden about-turn on Friday afternoon, saying that no extra individuals can be allowed to go away till Sunday.
Police chief Pol Maj Gen Rungroj Thakoorpunyasiri didn’t provide any reason why.
He mentioned solely that the choice was made after discussions between Phuket governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and the federal government in Bangkok.
Phuket closed its borders a month in the past, banning each entry and exit, to constrain the unfold of Covid-19. Stranding tens of 1000’s of Thai and international vacationers. Many Thai from different provinces who had been out of labor had been unable to return residence.
The ban on individuals leaving Phuket ended at midnight on Might 1st and the highway reopened at 5am. Roughly an hour after the night time curfew ended.
Solely 5000 individuals a day allowed to go away
About 40,000 individuals had registered to go away Phuket. Having utilized on-line or knowledgeable local authorities upfront. The deadline was on Thursday.
The exit movement is being managed. The Island will enable solely 5,000 individuals to go away every day, half of them within the morning and the remaining within the afternoon. At this price it should take greater than per week for them to go away, the Bangkok Post stories.
In the meantime, the deputy governor mentioned individuals leaving couldn’t come again right now, as Phuket was nonetheless sealed off.
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority additionally prolonged the closure of Phuket airport till Might 15.
The extension was requested by governor Phakaphong, who heads the provincial emergency panel. The Island has 216 confirmed circumstances of Covid-19 an infection, second solely to Bangkok.
