According to the governor, food zone and pharmacy in malls are excluded from the closure. Restaurants and food courts can only offer take-away with no diners allowed to be seated.

The City Hall has asked people not to stockpile food and consumer products in panic as restaurants and zones selling necessary consumer goods are still open.

"I'd like to ask for everyone's cooperation in every sector to keep a space of 1-to-2 meters to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading," the governor said in a live stream address on Saturday.

The government is asking people to stay at home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Preventive measures include social distancing, working from home and separation of work shifts.

The government ordered a temporary closure of entertainment venues in Bangkok Metropolitan recently. Affected venues include movie theaters, bars, traditional massage parlors, gyms, golf courses, boxing stadiums and cockfighting arenas. All schools are closed.

Thailand reported its largest daily increase in COVID-19 infections on Saturday, with 89 new cases taking the national tally to 411.

(Image Credit: Pixabay)