Domestic flights to resume operations as of Dec. 16

By Kyaw Thu Htay 15 Dec 2020

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG
15 December 2020, Sittwe

Domestic flights, which have been suspended for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume services as of December 16, the Ministry of Health and Sports announced on December 14.

The ministry’s statement, however, said passengers need a document to show that they have tested negative for COVID-19 no more than 36 hours before their flight.

Would-be passengers can take a pre-flight test at private or government hospitals, or clinics or laboratories recognised by the Ministry of Health and Sports, and they can then show their negative test prior to flying, it said.

Passengers must pay for their test, and they are not allowed to take flight if they have COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing or lost sense of smell, even if they test negative, the ministry said.

COVID-19 testing for passengers out of Sittwe is available on the University of Sittwe campus between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Quarantine orders may still be in effect upon arrival, depending on the situation at the passenger’s destination, said U Aye Aung, director of Micar Travel Agency.

Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Department of Public Health in Arakan State, said measures will be conducted according to the statement of the Ministry of Health and Sports.

“We have to consider social and economic affairs. So, the government will allow domestic flights to resume their services. People die not only of COVID-19 but also of other diseases,” he said.

International flights into Myanmar remain suspended, but are scheduled to resume next month.