Thailand has extended the emergency rule against the COVID-19 pandemic from early December until mid-January next year.

The cabinet of ministers on Monday approved a proposal from the government-run Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration for the extension of the emergency decree to be enforced nationwide for a one-month-and-a-half period, beginning from Dec. 1 until Jan. 15, 2021, according to officials attached to Government House.

It will be the eighth time Thailand's emergency rule has been extended on monthly basis to contain the pandemic throughout the country.

Anti-pandemic and health safety measures will be strictly taken in January during which three world badminton tournaments are scheduled to be held in Bangkok, the officials said.