Thailand to ease curbs on dine-in services

Authorities in Thailand have decided to allow restaurants in the capital Bangkok to resume dine-in services, but with a limited serving capacity and operating hours.

From Monday, restaurants, cafes and other foodshops in Bangkok and its neighbouring Nonthaburi, Pathumthani and Samut Prakan provinces, which currently remain under maximum control and restrictions, can receive customers up to 25 per cent of their capacity until 9 p.m. and provide take-away services until 11 p.m., according to a royal gazette issued late Saturday.

Previously restaurants in regions under maximum control and restrictions could only open for food delivery, Xinhua news agency reported.

Restaurants, cafes and other foodshops in another 17 provinces under maximum control can provide dine-in services until 11 p.m. local time, according to the royal gazette.

However, the sales of alcoholic beverages at those places will still be banned.

Thailand reported 3,095 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, raising the total caseload to 99,145, official data showed.

The death toll stood at 548.