Thailand sees 6 new COVID-19 cases while preparing to ease lockdown

Across 68 provinces, Bangkok has the most with 1,524 confirmed cases. The death toll remained at 54, and 2,732 people have recovered and returned home.

Most of the new cases involved those having contacts with previous patients, as well as Thai returnees from Japan and India.

Meanwhile, as Thailand prepares to kickstart the easing of lockdown restrictions, the authorities on Saturday inspected two luxury shopping malls in Bangkok to check their readiness to reopen for limited business on Sunday.

Gen. Pornpipat Benyasri, chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, visited Bangkok's two largest shopping malls on Saturday, saying "I hope business operators and shoppers will need to stay vigilant at all times, to observe social distancing and prevent congestions, or we will see a re-spike of infections."

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang also said Bangkok city is ready to ease restrictions on six types of business and leisure activity starting Sunday, but reminded the operators that they must maintain social distancing within the premises. Face mask and sanitizer gel must also be available for customers.

For all dine-in restaurants, one customer should be seated at each table, Aswin said.

Dr. Thaveesilp Wissanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reassured that take-away sale of liquor will commence on Sunday, adding that people travelling between provinces are still subject to temperature screenings at road checkpoints, and those from high-risk provinces will have to enter quarantine at their destination.