Eateries need more govt aid 6 Editorial Bangkok Post editorial column published : 29 Jun 2021 at 04:00 6 As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its 18th month, its impacts on the economy and people are becoming more sinister. The number of people suffering from psychological distress -- as well as suicides -- due to financial problems have increased, as more and more businesses shut their doors causing unemployment to rise. However, the situation is about to become more dire as a result of the quasi one-month lockdown imposed in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Pathum Thani. The semi-lockdown has been in effect since yesterday, as the government is trying to curb the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus in Bangkok. Under the fresh curbs, about 500 construction workers' camps in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces will be sealed off, with its workers confined inside. In addition, some businesses with a high risk of physical contact are asked to limit their services, or even close, for a month.