Thailand confirmed 527 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday and ramped up restrictions in five provinces deemed high-risk in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
All but six of them local transmissions, local media reported.
The new infections include 439 in a known cluster of migrant workers in the southwestern province of Samut Sakhon near Bangkok, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesman for Thailand's coronavirus taskforce, told a news conference.
Restrictions will be intensified in Samut Sakhon and four other provinces, he said. Thailand has reported a total of 8,966 infections since early last year.
Also Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayt Chan-o-cha rejected a proposal to seal off five provinces to stop the spread of the disease.
Gen Prayut said before the weekly cabinet meeting that the government had no plan to lock down Samut Sakhon and four eastern provinces, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.-Reuters/Bangkok Post. Photo: Bangkok Post
