The premier made the announcement Tuesday after a Cabinet meeting in Bangkok. The decree will give him broad powers to impose further curbs on everyday life, under a strategy of using social distancing to tackle a jump in infections and deaths in March.

“The goal is to reduce the spread of the virus,” Prayuth said. “The government prioritises the health of its citizens. Please do not panic and listen to the government.”

Confirmed cases have surged to more than 800 from the low 40s at the start of the month, and on Tuesday officials reported three more fatalities, taking the death toll to four.

Much of the country, including the capital Bangkok, has been partially shut down already and people are being advised to stay at home.

The government also announced a cash handout of 15,000 baht over three months for three million people to help mitigate some of the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Thailand’s benchmark SET index of equities rose after the emergency decree and stimulus steps were outlined, before paring some of the gains. It was up 1.3% as of 2.47pm in Bangkok, following a 9.1% plunge a day earlier.

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