Thailand moves into virus emergency mode

Thailand's prime minister says the government has agreed to declare a state of emergency to implement stricter measures to control the coronavirus epidemic.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the Cabinet agreed today at its weekly meeting to put a one-month state of emergency into effect on Thursday. It will give the government enforcement powers not normally available to it.

Powers available to the government under the law governing public administration in emergency situations include implementing curfews, censoring the media, dispersing gatherings and allowing deployment of military forces for enforcement.

Prayuth in a brief televised address urged the public to remain calm and warned people against the improper use of social media and hoarding, saying there would now be stricter enforcement against violators.-AP