The government of Thailand has introduced stricter steps to stop the spread of coronavirus, including the postponement of the biggest holiday in Thailand, the closure of schools and bars.

The restrictions are not as severe as they were in many other countries where factories were cut off and people were encouraged or forced to stay at home.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan ocha told in a Television speech to reassure people that the war against the virus does not at present mean closing the country.

During a cabinet meeting, all members wearing masks and sitting 1 meter (3 feet) apart as suggested by health experts, the steps were accepted.

Songkran, the annual three-day new year festival that takes place every year in April, is one of the steps to discourage people from gathering and traveling. Millions of Thais usually travel to their hometowns from the cities, to celebrate a later holiday.

From Wednesday until further notice, both public and private educational institution will be closed, says the Education Ministry.

The provincial governors ordered that places such as pubs, karaoke halls, movie theatres, gymnasiums or boxing stadiums be closed down. Two weeks from Wednesday, these locations in Bangkok are also expected to closeness.

The governors of two provinces, the northeast Buriram and the north of Uthai Thani, already controlled health inspections for travelers and banned gatherings of over 50 people.

Prayuth said that Thailand remains open to international tourists at the news conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting, despite the fact that the conditions extend to people from six government-designated places: China, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Iran and Italy.

Arrivals from these areas must be approved with health insurance and must access the government's smartphone applications to monitor them and their safety in Thailand not more than 3 days before boarding.

Under plans apparently not yet implemented, they would also be required to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.

A big blow from the COVID-19 outbreak is Thailand's huge tourism industry. According to a Bangkok Bank survey, it represented 15.5 percent of total work— 5.8 million workers in 2017.