Nighttime curfew ordered in Arakan State capital amid coronavirus outbreak

By Kyaw Thu Htay 21 Aug 2020

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG
21 August, Sittwe

A nighttime curfew was imposed in Sittwe on August 21 due to a recent surge in local transmission cases of the novel coronavirus, with the restrictions expected to remain in place for two months.

The curfew prohibits people in the Arakan State capital from going outside from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. and is intended to contain the spread of the deadly virus as 29 new cases of COVID-19 were reported over the past six days.

Sittwe residents will be allowed to go outside for emergency reasons only during the nighttime lockdown, and action will be taken against curfew breakers in accordance with the law.

Ko Soe Naing, a resident, said the government must ensure adequate provisioning of food supplies and medicines as the new coronavirus restrictions crimp the flow of goods to and within Arakan State’s largest city.

“The government needs to manage the imports of medicine and food supplies in a way that is in compliance with the instruction. I am really interested in the government’s plan to help residents. The government must support local people to curb the spread of the virus and keep people at home,” he added.

Initial lockdown measures were imposed on August 20 in some residential parts of Sittwe after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in quick succession, and Sittwe’s Myoma Market will open for only half days until further notice.

In addition, restaurants and tea shops in Sittwe are being allowed to sell food for takeaway only. Commercial airlines flying Sittwe-to-Yangon routes temporarily suspended operations on August 20, according to air ticketing centres.

A total of 45 patients have so far tested positive for COVID-19 in Arakan State. Sixteen have recovered and were discharged from hospitals while the 29 recently reported cases remain hospitalised.

The first reported case of what is being described as a local transmission outbreak was a female CB Bank employee in Sittwe who tested positive for coronavirus on August 16.