Chonburi –
Local authorities and entrepreneurs attended a meeting yesterday, January 29th, to discuss clear preventive measures and regulations for Walking Street’s continuing reopening in South Pattaya prior to a scheduled U.S. navy troop visit in the middle of February.
This followed the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s approval of listing Chonburi in the “Test&Go” and “Sandbox” tourist welcoming schemes, in which the “Thailand Pass” registration would start on February 1st.
The meeting was led by Bang Lamung district chief Wuttisak Singhadecho, Pattaya Walking Street Business Association President Narit Petcharat, Sopon Cable TV Managing Director Rattakij Hengtrakul, and was participated in by more than 30 local business operators.
The district chief asked for cooperation from operators opening services to strictly comply with the preventive measures prescribed by the public health department in order to build confidence among incoming tourists. He also informed the attendees about a visit from the United States Navy for Cobra Gold training exercises, about 2,000 troops, in mid-February. TPN media notes it is unclear if the troops will be given leave or liberty during the scheduled exercises.
Cobra Gold has been “toned down” for yet another year due to Covid-19 but will run with reduced forces from February 20th to March 5th in the Chonburi area. Scheduled drills will be focused on field training and humanitarian exercises will take place.
“The operators still had to strictly follow preventive measures prescribed by the Public Health Ministry, such as conducting ATK tests on every employee and customers every day and setting up social distancing areas,” district chief Wuttisak said at the meeting.
Police Colonel Kunlachart Kunlachai, Pattaya City Police Chief, stated in an overview of the business operations in the city that most of the operators had abided by the government’s rules in reopening their business. He also urged entertainment venues, such as bars, pubs, nightclubs, and karaoke lounges, to remain closed following the national regulations although noted they could apply to open as “restaurants” temporarily.
The meeting attendees also suggested more guidelines to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 during the reopening of the Walking Street project, including limiting the number of visitors and providing official ATK testing from public health officers for all visitors. The suggestion would be proposed in a statement from the Entrepreneurs Association to the Pattaya City Mayor to seek measures and financial support.
All attendees stressed that if the Covid-19 situation continued to improve then more restrictions could ease in the future, such as the full legal reopening of nightlife, extended closing hours, allowing “extras” like pool and karaoke, and relaxing current strict daily ATK testing standards.
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