BANGKOK: THE Thai government has set July 1 to lift all business and activity lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The National Security Council said this includes inter-provincial and international travel, as well as the end of emergency decree and curfew.
Its secretary-general, General Somsak Roongsita said the lifting of all restrictions would mean a complete reopening of the country.
According to reports in the Bangkok Post, officials will begin preparatory measures for the reopening.
"After the emergency decree ends, other laws will be used instead. The people's cooperation is important.
"This concerns the use of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitiser and limited activities.
"As long as the disease is spreading worldwide, we will have to fight it for a while," Somsak said.
He added that the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations would end this month and the ban on international travel would continue until then.
The full reopening will come after the third phase of the relaxation this month.
The government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will finalise details of what businesses could resume and on what conditions under the third phase of relaxation this month.
Last week, his committee on business easing did not reach a conclusion on high-risk activities that were suspended.
For this month, Somsak said curfew hours would be shortened and more restrictions on inter-provincial travel would be lifted under the third phase.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesil Visanuyothin said more activities at malls would resume and athletes' practising grounds would reopen.
Operators and customers would be required to use the Thai Chana mobile application for checking in and out of premises since the businesses allowed to reopen in this stage are medium- to high-risk ones.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop said movie theatres would not reopen because operators said there was no new movie during this time.
"It is not because we oppose the reopening, but operators say there are no new films to screen at the moment," he said.
Tewan added that the government was considering financial aid for temples, where all activities stopped including donations from the public.