Thailand has said it would reopen most schools including those in the capital Bangkok from next week, in response to localised declines in new coronavirus infections.

The education ministry ordered schools closed in 28 provinces at the beginning of January. It will restart classes in all but one of those from Monday, Education Minister Natthapol Teepsuwan told reporters, according to Reuters.

The move follows an easing of some curbs last week in Bangkok, including on some sports and leisure activities, but bars and night entertainment venues remain closed. The announcement comes despite the country reporting its second-highest number of new daily coronavirus cases, with 819 infections.