In a decision that should drastically help Phuket’s “Sandbox project” and stimulate the economy, the CCSA has given first approval to an order to sell and consume alcohol in restaurants from Oct. 1.
Thailand has had a national ban on alcohol consumption in groups and in businesses for months with recent crackdowns on offenders, unfortunately this permission only applies to Phuket.
While the order will not reopen entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, pubs and karaoke, it does allow beer and alcohol to be sold in restaurants for customers to drink there. The rule applies to open-air and air-conditioned restaurants as long as the health and safety measures of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee are followed.
To be eligible for the alcohol consumption easing, every employee must be fully vaccinated in a restaurant with staff who are tested weekly for Covid-19. Customers must also be fully vaccinated and restaurants are required to check vaccination certificate and ID before being allowed entry.
The order is more restrictive for air-conditioned restaurants, allowing them to open with tables 1 meter apart and only 4 to 6 people per table. They should be allowed to operate at 50% of their capacity.
Open air dining will be less restrictive and will be open at 75% capacity. The order would even allow live music but would be limited to the solo artist, duos or trios, requiring everyone to wear a mask or face shield except the singer, and with the performance being 2 meters away from the tables. Artists should not be allowed to mix and socialize with clients.
Every time a staff member is infected with Covid19 virus, the restaurant will have to be closed for a week, while if a customer is discovered to be infected, the company will have to close for 3 days. These closing restrictions would be subject to change.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led an online meeting of the CCSA on Monday, where the proposal was first made, according to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew. The PCDC has convened a meeting to discuss all guidelines before issuing the final order to take effect in Phuket on Oct. 1, with the order being released this morning.
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