(Bloomberg) -- Thailand said sales of alcoholic drinks will be permitted again from Sunday, relenting on a prohibition that was designed to prevent gatherings that could spread the novel coronavirus.

Restaurants and other establishments selling alcoholic beverages can open from May 3 but the drinks can’t be consumed on the premises, the government said in a Royal Gazette statement on Friday. Provinces began banning sales from early April after a state of emergency was imposed in late March.

Thailand has extended the emergency to the end of May to cement progress in curbing infections through social distancing. At the same time, officials plan to gradually ease a partial national lockdown in phases from Sunday, while remaining mindful of the risk of a flare up in Covid-19 cases.

Read More: Thailand to Begin Easing Coronavirus Lockdown Curbs

The Asian nation reported six more infections on Friday, taking the total to 2,960. It was the fifth straight day of single-digit increases and the third day without additional fatalities. New cases were running at 100 or more daily in late March and early April.

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