Vice Governor Pichet made his plea yesterday (Jan 26) while announcing the new order for the COVID-19 protection-measure regulations now in place, which repealed the midnight closing for all entertainment venues and allowed restaurants to resume selling alcohol.
It also came after the provincial government earlier this week lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine for all people arriving from Bangkok.
“The Phuket provincial government has relaxed travel to Phuket in order to stimulate the province’s economy, but we still must maintain tight control on people arriving from seven ‘high risk’ provinces, in accordance with measures prescribed by the CCSA [in Bangkok],” Vice Governor Pichet said.
“We ask for cooperation to comply with the recommendations of government agencies, whether it be installing the Mor Chana app and the practice of wearing a mask every time you leave home and frequently cleaning your hands with a sanitiser. All people are requested to strictly follow the government regulations,” he added.
Mr Pichet highlighted that the relaxation measures were introduced to help Phuket’s struggling economy.
“Now that the provincial government has relaxed some measures, there will be measures to stimulate the economy, since Phuket has been greatly affected [by the economic crisis]. If it continues like this, it will make people more in trouble,” he said.
“Today, both public and private agencies have prepared measures to stimulate the economy, including a seafood festival and a mass sports event to be held in early February.
“In this regard, the provincial government will launch a public relations campaign to build confidence among Thai tourists to travel to Phuket, but we must ask for cooperation from everyone to follow the measures to prevent the spread of disease in the area,” he concluded.