Thailand is extending its state of emergency until the end of August, a senior official confirmed.

A state of emergency was first declared in April, in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Under the decree, the prime minister is allowed to ban anyone from leaving home, mass gatherings and the use of public transport.

The prime minister can also stop media from reporting any content that causes panic or unrest, the Bangkok Post said ahead of the extension.

Thailand hasn't reported a case of local transmission in two months, according to Reuters news agency.

Compared with other countries in the region, Thailand has had a relatively small number of cases.

More than 3,000 people have tested positive and 58 people have died.

“It is still necessary to have the decree because we are opening up the country for more business meetings and tourism to stimulate the economy,” Somsak Roongsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council said.

A committee on lockdown easing has vowed that the state of emergency would not be used to control political gatherings.

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