The Cabinet, during its meeting on 13 July 2021, approved additional relief measures to provide immediate assistance for workers and entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Bangkok and nearby provinces, as well as four southern border provinces.
The measures cover 10 provinces in the “maximum and strict COVID-19 control zone (dark red zone),” which includes Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla.
The assistance will be provided for one month to the affected workers and entrepreneurs in nine sectors, namely construction; hotel and food services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; other services specified by the Social Security Office; wholesale and retail trade and auto repair; transportation and warehouses; management and supporting services; professional, science, and academic activities; and news, information, and communication.
Employees under Section 33 of the Social Security Act will receive 2,500 baht in assistance. They will also receive half of their daily wages, but not exceeding 7,500 baht. Altogether, they will receive not more than 10,000 baht from the Government. Their employers will receive 3,000 baht for each of their workers, but for not more than 200 persons.
Insured workers under Sections 39 and 40 of the Social Security Act will receive 5,000 baht. Self-employed persons will have to register with the Social Security Office, under Section 40 of the Social Security Act, before the end of July 2021, so that they will also receive 5,000 baht.
Employers with workers not covered by the social security system will have to register them before the end of July 2021, so that they will receive 3,000 baht for each of their employees, but for not more than 200 persons, while their workers will receive 2,500 baht each.
As for entrepreneurs with no employees, they will have to register with the Social Security Office before the end of July 2021, so that they will receive 5,000 baht in assistance.
Other assistance measures offered by the Government include discounts on electricity bills from July to August and on water bills from August to September. State educational institutions have been told to reduce tuition fees in the first semester of the 2021 academic year.
At the same meeting, the Cabinet also approved the extension period of the enforcement of the Declaration of an Emergency Situation in all areas of the Kingdom for another two months, effective from 1 August to 30 September 2021.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department