Thailand approves soft loans and subsidies to mitigate virus impact; another 287 Covid-19 cases confirmed

A woman eats her meal using rubber gloves as a waitress wearing a face mask as preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19 walks past at a seaside view restaurant in Bangpu, on the outskirts of Bangkok. - AFP

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Reuters): Thailand has approved more measures to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic after its biggest outbreak yet, including soft loans and lower utility bills, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on Tuesday.

The new measures aim to boost liquidity for businesses, provide debt relief and support for unemployment, Prayuth said, adding that an additional sum of a monthly 3,500 baht ($116) per person for two months would be considered next week.