The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Tuesday dismissed as untrue reports that it will announce a full lockdown and keep city residents at home in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A City Hall spokesman said the rumour about a full lockdown might have been triggered by Monday's meeting of BMA executives.

He insisted no further measures were tabled at the meeting which is held every other Monday.

City Hall recently ordered the closure of more places in Bangkok until April 30 in addition to the 26 types of businesses which were ordered shut down on March 23.

The new venues include playgrounds in public parks and housing estates, libraries, museums, theatres, outdoor cinemas, and public and private nurseries (except those in hospitals).

Wantanee Wattana, the deputy city clerk, said a total of 15 checkpoints are set up around the city and at three bus terminals to check the temperature of travellers and send those with a fever for further screening.

Police said more than 43,000 people were screened at the checkpoints between March 26 and March 30 and 35 were sent for medical care.

The prime minister has also instructed the police to step up crackdowns on illegal gambling, street racing and large parties as these activities draw big crowds, she said.

Chulalongkorn Hospital earlier said it was running low on N95 masks and has been trying to find more from all possible sources.

"The hospital only has enough masks for another two weeks," said its director.