Thailand shoppers take no chances as new measures begin

Thai citizens cleared supermarket shelves and filled shopping trolleys on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister went on national TV to anunce new restrictions to battle new coronavirus crisis. cabinet confirmed that measures would begin on Wednesday and would include temporary closing of schools and universities.

In Bangkok area entertainment venues such as pubs and sports arenas will also close.

Prime Minister h appealed to people to stop panic-buying, but fear of what may yet lie ahe remains strong.

At a supermarket on edge of Bangkok, shoppers queued to get in and to check-out, ir trolleys brimming with eggs, rice, detergent and toilet paper.

A top government official was on hand to try to assure nation, through media, that producers h eugh provisions for next month.

But one was taking any chances.

"rmally I don't have any confidence in ir measures. How can I put it? I think you have to take care of yourself," said Bangkok resident Rawiwan Wichiennarat.

Kompat Semachi echoed those feelings as he and his wife stocked up on toilet paper.

"y should have been more decisive," he said. "Or cities have been shut down, but we still seem to be too relaxed"

If shoppers were taking chances, neir, in ar way, was cabinet.

At weekly meeting on Tuesday all its members wore masks as y gave d to new proposals.

measures are intended to discour garing and movement of large groups of people.

Alrey universities have brought down shutters, ir usually bustling grounds, buildings and classrooms eerily quiet.

y will stay closed initially for two weeks.

Schools are expected to follow suit on Wednesday.

And crowds will also be absent from Thai boxing stia, for time being.

28 confirmed cases of COVID-19 stemmed from a recent event at one such venue.

Pubs, clubs and mass parlours in and around capital will also go dark, once city's goverr gives his assent.

Also confirmed by cabinet, postponing of Thai New Year holiday, kwn as Songkran, due in mid-April.

Kwn internationally for its anarchy and mass water fights, it is also when millions of Thais leave cities and return to ir home provinces to be with ir families.

Total cases in Thailand rose on Tuesday by 30, to a total of 177.

For most people new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

vast majority of people recover from new virus.

According to World Health Organisation, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.