Tak: Cross-border cargo trade resumed over the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot yesterday morning after Covid-19 restrictions were eased by local authorities.
Meanwhile, the lockdown imposed on two communities in the district early this month is to be lifted this morning.
Movement of cargo between Thailand and Myanmar over the bridge, at Ban Wang Ta Khian in tambon Tha Sai Luat, was suspended, while the two Mae Sot communities, Masjid Madihah and Ban Thung Thong, were placed under lockdown after several Covid-19 cases were found in the district, authorities said yesterday.
Pongrat Piromrat, provincial governor, yesterday said the decision to resume cargo shipments from yesterday and lift the lockdown today was reached during a meeting with Tak's disease control committee, which he chairs.
Health authorities were confident the Covid-19 situation in Mae Sot had been brought under control, Mr Pongrat said.
A total of 10,177 people deemed at risk of contracting the coronavirus had tested negative.
The governor said loading and unloading areas for cargo on each side of the border had been designated to prevent physical contact between Thai and Myanmar workers.
The outbreak is still reported to be unchecked in Myanmar. Cases have been reported in communities near the border with Thailand.
Thailand tightened security at the main border gateway in Mae Sot after three Myanmar nationals tested positive for the virus at the Thai border earlier this month.
Local officials ordered people from Myanmar to load and unload goods only at designated areas in the district. They were only allowed to do so for seven hours before they must return.