PHITSANULOK: The majestic vihara, or assembly hall, where the revered Buddha image Phra Phuttha Chinnarat is enshrined at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Muang district has been closed for 20 days because of Covid-19 concerns.

The area inside the temple grounds where shops sell souvenirs, lottery tickets and other goods remains open to the public.

The closure of the hall, until May 15, is intended to help stop the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is on the advice of the provincial public health office.

The assembly hall with the golden image of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat was closed for the first time in April last year, during the first round of the pandemic. It is  usually packed with visitors paying respect to the Buddha image.

The public health office announced on Sunday that 12 more Covid-19 infections were found in the province, increasing the tally to 233. Of the total, seven have recovered and 226 are still being treated in hospital.

Like most other provinces, governor Ronnachai Jitwiset has made it compulsory for people in Phitsanulok to wear face masks while outdoors, under threat of a fine of up to 20,000 baht under Section 51 of the Communicable Disease Act for failing to do so.

Bangkok Post