Covid-19 regulations remain in force in Arakan State

By DMG 24 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
24 May 2022, Sittwe  

Covid-19 rules and regulations remain in force for air travellers and at border trade camps in Arakan State despite low new infection numbers over recent weeks, according to the Arakan State Public Health Department. 

Air travellers are tested for coronavirus daily, and no infection has been found, said Assistant Director Dr. Soe Win Paing of the state’s Public Health Department. 

“People should not ignore the risks associated with coronavirus and must follow the Covid-19 rules and regulations. We are also raising public awareness about the health risks of Covid-19,” he said. 

Since February, the regime’s Ministry of Health has required domestic air travellers to take a coronavirus rapid response test no more 48 hours before their flight. Road and rail travellers face no such testing. 

Covid-19 rules and regulations are still being enforced at border trade camps to prevent the spread of the virus, said secretary U Aung Aung of the Sittwe border trade camp. 

“Covid-19 rules and regulations remain in force. However, the quarantine period has been reduced from 10 days to five days. Previously, those who returned from Bangladesh were isolated for 10 days. It is five days now,” he said. 

U Khin Maung Gyi, vice chairman of the Rakhine Economic Initiative Public Co Ltd, called on authorities to lift the Covid-19 restrictions. 

“The government has imposed Covid-19 rules and regulations out of concerns for public health. However, Covid-19 cases have declined to a certain extent now, and regulations should be relaxed promptly,” he said. 

Since March 2020, Myanmar had recorded 613,203 cases of Covid-19 with 19,434 deaths as of May 20, according to the Ministry of Health.