Vox Pop: Can new pre-flight Covid testing help stop the spread?

By DMG 18 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
18 February 2022 

All air passengers, including those who are fully vaccinated, are now required to submit a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of their flight in order to board, the Arakan State Department of Public Health announced last week. DMG has compiled a selection of views on the Covid-19 testing of flight passengers, while other forms of travel remain unrestricted and not subject to any kind of testing requirement. 

U Hla Thein || Information Officer || Arakan State Administration Council 

The problem is that flight passengers need to be tested for Covid-19 and bus passengers do not need to be tested for the coronavirus. When I asked health officials about this, they said that wearing a mask when travelling by bus or train is not a big problem. In this case, the rate of infection is less pronounced.  

Health officials say that if you travel by air, you need to test the passenger’s swab. Domestic flight passengers who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus in Myanmar have been instructed to undergo Covid-19 testing. Passengers are instructed to wear masks when travelling by car or train. The Arakan State government is constantly monitoring the situation regarding Omicron incidents across the country. 

Dr. Soe Win Paing || Assistant Director || Arakan State Department of Public Health 

We have not been instructed to take swab samples from passengers travelling by train or car. There are a lot of Covid-19 infections in Yangon, so it would be better for people from Yangon to get a Covid-19 test if they come to Arakan State. We are currently instructed to take swabs from air passengers.  

The central government will also need to plan for a swab sample from those coming by car or train. It would be better if Covid-19 checkpoints were set up in Arakan State. We have to coordinate with the relevant authorities on such matters. The Union government issued a letter, instructing health officials to implement Covid-19 testing for air passengers. I would also like to urge people to be careful to avoid infection. 

Ko Tun Hlaing || In-Charge || Rakhine Covid-19 Watch 

Frankly, it would be better for all travellers at this time to receive Covid-19 testing before departures. [With motor vehicle passengers], Covid-19 testing should be conducted at the entrance and exit of the town. Another thing is that more people will be diagnosed with Covid-19. We need to consider whether the infected people should be placed under home quarantine. Some travellers are from the countryside, so you need to think about them as well.  

I think Covid-19 testing for passengers is a good move to reduce the virus infection rate. People who have not been vaccinated should also be tested. The virus can mutate more easily among the  unvaccinated, so if you are travelling, at least one person who has not been vaccinated should be tested for Covid-19. The government must also help those who have not been vaccinated.  

U Moe Kyaw || Resident of Sittwe 

Not only flight passengers but also people travelling by car or vessel come to Sittwe. I think it would not be effective if the Department of Health only checked the air passengers for Covid-19 and did not include the rest. Of the many entrances, only flight passengers are being tested and the rest are unmonitored, so this is unlikely to be an effective control.  

In addition to air travellers, road and waterway passengers should also be screened for Covid-19. Only then can the spread of Covid-19 be fully prevented. Only flight passengers undergo Covid-19 testing, so if the rest of the people went in a car that did not need to be checked, it would be like a huge leak. 

Ko Nyi Khaing Thwee || Resident of Sittwe 

Most importantly, if there is a real public health need, I think all passengers, not just flight passengers, should be screened for Covid-19. The government also needs to carry out effective Covid-19 inspections on land and waterways. Another thing is that passengers do not just wear masks when taking the bus. Not all masks are fully protective against Covid-19. Covid-19 testing should be required not only for air travellers but also for land and waterway passengers. With the resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Sittwe, I think such travel should be regulated.