Health Department to conduct free Covid-19 testing for domestic air travellers

By DMG 12 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
12 November 2021, Sittwe 

Domestic air travellers can get pre-departure testing for Covid-19 free of charge at the relevant township Department of Public Health (DPH), according to a statement released by the junta-controlled Ministry of Health. 

The DPH service aims to help meet a requirement that air travellers supply proof of a negative Covid-19 test no more than 48 hours prior to boarding.  

The DPH will conduct its coronavirus testing via the respective township health offices from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. 

Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Arakan State DPH, said testing could begin next week. 

“We have submitted a letter to the local government to arrange locations to conduct Covid-19 tests. Health workers from the DPH will conduct virus tests by using Covid-19 test kits. We have asked the local government to arrange locations to conduct Covid-19 tests. We can begin the virus test once our request is approved,” he said. 

The pandemic’s ongoing third wave has been brought under control to some extent, according to the Ministry of Health. 

U Pho San, a local resident in Kyaukphyu, said the free pre-screening of air passengers for Covid-19 was a good initiative, but needed to be effective. 

“At present, the Covid-19 epidemic has not been completely eradicated. It would be better for the government to carry out the Covid-19 test correctly and effectively for air passengers,” he told DMG. 

Since October 2020, the DPH has been conducting Covid-19 pre-departure testing for air travellers coming to Arakan State from Yangon and Mandalay, but passengers reportedly had to pay K20,000 for the test.