Phuket enters shutdown mode

Phuket, the tourism magnet of Thailand, is entering the shutdown phase from Monday. Transportation to the island will be banned, and the lockdown will last for a month.

Phuket Governor Pakkapong Taweepat has said boats, cars and trucks providing essential goods and services are exempted. Last week the government had imposed emergency rules and now the decision to enter the lockdown phase is a clear indication that the country is in a very cautious mode, as it fights the epidemic.

About 56% of total employment in Phuket is in tourism-related industries, the Bank of Thailand said in a note. Thailand’s foreign tourism receipts had dipped in February to its lowest since 2015.

Finding flights to Phuket and other destinations has become difficult as the airline industry shuts itself down.