Restaurateur, patrons charged for violating COVID-19 rules in Ann Twsp

By Nyan Hein 09 Oct 2020

Nyan Hein | DMG
9 October 2020, Sittwe 

A restaurant owner from Ward-3 in Ann Township, Arakan State, and two customers were reportedly charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law after the latter were allowed to dine at the restaurant on October 7. 

The two patrons and the owner of Daw Khin Thidar Restaurant were found in contravention of coronavirus public health measures when officials from the township-level COVID-19 prevention, control and response committee were checking whether restaurateurs were complying with a takeaway-only mandate. 

“An inspection team led by the township medical superintendent found the restaurant owner allowing two customers to dine at the restaurant,” said Ko Myo Lwin, a resident of Ann Township.   

Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe, the Ann Township medical superintendent, opened a case against the restaurant owner and his two customers under Section 25/3(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law, said U Ko Ko Myat, the Ann Township administrator. 

“The restaurant owner and two customers were sued under the Natural Disaster Management Law,” the administrator told DMG. “Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe filed a lawsuit against them. The restaurant owner doesn’t abide by the instruction to sell food through the takeaway system amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“I have warned the restaurant owner many times only to sell with takeaway service under the stay-at-home order,” Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe said. “I opened the lawsuit because the restaurant owner didn’t follow the instruction.” 

DMG phoned the Ann Township police station seeking comment about the detainees, but no on at the station could be reached. 

Last month the owner of a boarding school in Sittwe was reportedly involved in a similar legal predicament for allegedly failing to shutter the school as part of COVID-19 preventive orders.  

In an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19 in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, local authorities have instructed residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. “Outpass” cards are being issued to regulate residents’ movements in the city, and authorities have vowed to take legal action against anyone not abiding by the outpass system’s restrictions.  

In Kyaukphyu, authorities have likewise said they will use the Natural Disaster Management Law to prosecute violators of a recently promulgated 11 a.m. curfew order.  

As of October 7, there were 1,852 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and seven fatalities in Arakan State, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.