Thailand today confirmed six new COVID-19 cases, the fifth consecutive day of new cases in single digit, and zero fatalities, bringing the tally to 2,960 and the death toll remaining at 54.

Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said one case detected in Bangkok, a 64-year-old man, had visited a market while the other five in Bannang Sata, Yala, southern Thailand all of whom had close contact with previous confirmed patients who returned from Malaysia.

Today another 32 patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total recovered to 2,719 while 187 remain hospitalised, he said.

"There are 42 of 77 provinces in the kingdom that have not reported new COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days," he said at his COVID-19 daily briefing here today.

Thaweesilp urged Thais to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the kingdom during the the relaxation period.

Thailand has extended an emergency decree to combat the pandemic until May 31. Measures including a ban on incoming international passenger flights, night curfew from 10 pm to 4 am, ban on sales of alcohol, prohibiting inter-provincial travel and mass gathering will continue under the emergency decree.

However, six types of businesses and venues nationwide will be reopen from Sunday with guidelines to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infection. The six types of businesses and venues are markets, eateries outside shopping malls, wholesale and retail businesses, parks and outdoor sports facilities (not for team sports), barber shops and hair salons (only limited to cut, shampoo and blow), besides pet grooming and pet hotels.

However, shopping malls, cinema and theatres, gyms and spas, indoor sports venues including boxing stadiums are to remain closed to avoid large gatherings.

The government will observe and evaluate the situation every 14 days.

Meanwhile, Thaweesilp raised concerns over the exodus of city folk to their home provinces during the long Workers'Day weekend and reminded Thais that "staying home to contain the outbreak is necessary."

-- BERNAMA