Residents panic buy alcohol after Thai government lifts COVID-19 ban

Residents panic buy alcohol after Thai government lifts COVID-19 ban

Thousands of shoppers in Thailand flocked to supermarkets to panic buy alcohol after restrictions imposed by the government were lifted yesterday (May 3).

Ministers eased strict prohibition measures aimed at preventing social gatherings after the number of new infections in the country fell to just single digits every day for the last week.

Footage from Chiang Mai province shows residents packing supermarket aisles to stock up on boxes of beer - amid fears that booze bans could be reintroduced if Covid-19 cases flare up.

In addition to the alcohol sales ban being lifted, barbers, small restaurants and a limited number of shops were also allowed to open again.

However, a nationwide 10pm curfew, a ban on non-residents entering the country and the closure of high-risk businesses will remain indefinitely.