The surge since April has overwhelmed hospitals, strained the economy, and put into question the tourism recovery plan of this country of 70 million people. Due to supply issues hindering the introduction of vaccines, approximately 5% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 15% of the population is only partially vaccinated.

“I hope everyone realizes that we must take stricter measures as soon as possible. We may all be affected and inconvenienced in many ways,” Prime Minister Prayut wrote on his Facebook page late on Friday.

Especially in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, cases have been on the rise. The government took additional measures overnight, including prohibiting any gatherings and activities that might spread the virus, including anti-government gatherings criticizing Prayut for handling the pandemic.

Violators will face up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,539.

Prayut said that additional measures to be introduced are aimed at limiting the movement of people as much as possible, closing almost all non-essential places, and implementing strict work at home. He said that before approving the new lockdown measures, the government’s medical committee will carefully discuss and study lockdown measures in other countries.

Prayut said that in order to reduce the pressure on hospitals, the authorities are considering allowing people to use antigen test kits for self-testing at home.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Thailand has reported 391,989 confirmed cases and 3,240 COVID-19-related deaths.

What’s happening in canada

As of 8 AM Eastern Time on Saturday, Canada has reported 1,422,646 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 4,754 are considered active. The country’s COVID-19 death toll is 26,489. To date, more than 44.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated across the country. CBC news statistics.

In Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick Report Two new cases COVID-19 on Friday is all related to travel. Nova Scotia, Pei with Newfoundland and Labrador No new cases have been reported, although NL is currently processing 46 active cases, except for one On two ships Parked at Conception Bay.

Quebec On Friday, 83 new COVID-19 cases and 3 other deaths were reported.The province has announced that it will Hold a $2 million prize draw Cash awards and bursaries will be provided this summer to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Ontario 159 new cases and 10 new deaths were reported on Friday because it Enter step 3 of its reopening plan, Based on the high COVID-19 vaccination rate and other positive public health trends, several days ahead of schedule.

Under the third step, stadiums, cinemas, theaters, museums and other places can be reopened for indoor services; dining in restaurants is allowed; nightclubs can be reopened under capacity restrictions; up to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors are allowed Social gatherings.

Watch | Canada is about to reopen its borders for fully vaccinated Americans:

As the government hopes to reopen the U.S. border for fully vaccinated travelers in mid-August, the affected people are still looking for details, such as whether the U.S. will respond. 1:59

In the prairie provinces, Manitoba Also Welcome to relax restrictions this weekend. Starting from Saturday, restaurants, food courts and licensed venues can be open until midnight instead of 10 pm, and the capacity is increased to 50%, but the outdoor terrace seating is still 8 people per table.

The province reported 39 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

Saskatchewan Report 20 new cases COVID-19 and two other deaths on Friday, and Alberta Report 41 new cases And two new deaths.

Watch | Three Canadian mayors’ views on their reopening:

As communities began to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the mayors of Calgary, Regina, and Mississauga, Ontario talked about their situation. 6:41

in British Columbia, Health officials announced 45 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with no new deaths.In order to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19, the Vancouver Coastal Health Bureau is holding Temporary vaccination clinics in popular summer destinations In the next few days, surrounding the city, including Trout Lake Park and the shipyard area on the north shore.

in the north, Yukon Territory Report Five new cases They were all in Whitehorse on Friday, and Nunavut with North-west region No new cases have been seen.

What is happening around the world

According to U.S.-based tools, as of Saturday morning, more than 189.6 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported Johns Hopkins University, It has been collecting coronavirus data from countries around the world. The reported death toll exceeds four million.

inside Asia Pacific Area, Tokyo 2020 officials have been confirmed as First Olympic Village Resident Tested Positive For COVID-19. According to the organizers, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said that due to privacy concerns, he will not disclose his nationality and is currently in isolation.

inside middle EastThe surge in Iran’s new coronavirus infections fueled by the rapidly spreading delta variant has threatened to overwhelm hospitals.

This has prompted thousands of Iranians to flock to neighbouring Armenia, where authorities have been distributing vaccine doses to foreign tourists free of charge, because the country’s population is still slow to absorb vaccines despite widespread vaccine hesitation.

Iran has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the Middle East. Of the 84 million people in the country, less than 2% have been vaccinated with these two vaccines.

in EuropeBeginning on Sunday, France will allow international travelers who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s India-made vaccines to enter. At the same time, according to a statement from the prime minister on Saturday, it is strengthening border inspections to control the spread of the delta virus and protect hospitals.

The move by tourists who received the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India occurred after a global protest against the EU’s COVID-19 certificate only acknowledging AstraZeneca vaccine produced in Europe. Several other EU countries have already accepted the Indian version.

On Saturday, Greece banned music playing in restaurants and bars and restricted its activities after an increase in the number of new coronavirus infections on its popular resort island, Mykonos.

inside AmericaIn the past three weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has tripled, and the number of hospitalizations and deaths of unvaccinated people is rising. Although interest rates are still down sharply from their January highs, officials are concerned about the reversal of the trend line and illnesses and deaths they consider unnecessary.

“Look, our only epidemic is people who have not been vaccinated,” President Joe Biden said on Friday, echoing the comments made by Dr. Rochelle Varensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier in the day. .

Watch | US health officials warn of “unvaccinated pandemic”:

After several weeks of decline, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has risen again, and most people in the hospital have not been vaccinated. 2:05

in Africa, The Minister of Tourism of Kenya stated that African countries need equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine so that they can begin to rebuild the hard-hit tourism industry.

On the sidelines of a meeting held by his African counterparts on Friday, Najib Barara said that since the beginning of the pandemic, about 21 million jobs have been lost in the industry across the continent, and the meeting called for discussion of the crisis. “If hotel staff do not get vaccinated, Africa will be isolated,” he said.