Cargo trucks granted lockdown leeway to forestall goods shortages

By Hnin Nwe 26 Aug 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
26 August, Sittwe

Cargo trucks are being allowed to carry on with limited disruption to their normal operations in the gateway township of Ann, in order to avoid goods shortages in Arakan State during the ongoing flare-up of COVID-19, according to the Ann Township administrator.

“The trucks are not allowed to enter the downtown areas. The drivers are allowed to unload their cargo at the designated places,” he explained. “Since August 23, the entry of trucks into the relevant townships is banned. The trucks from Yangon and Magway regions are allowed to unload their goods at the designated places.”

Ann Township serves as an entrance to Arakan State, bordering Magwe Region to the east. Plans are underway to apply the same measures in all townships in Arakan State including Minbya, Myebon and Sittwe, he said.

“The main thing I want to say is there is no stoppage of trade flows in Sittwe. The news that the drivers who come from other regions are put in quarantine is untrue,” he said. “The drivers are allowed to go back immediately if they meet the rules and regulations set by the Health Department after the unloading of goods.”

Still, trade is reportedly down since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in the Arakan State capital on August 16.

“After the detection of confirmed patients in Sittwe, there is a decline in trade flows as the drivers fear that they will be barred,” said U Tin Aung Oo, chair of the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

“Currently, Sittwe sees a stoppage of trade flows. Rice prices have increased slightly due to a drop in the inflows of rice into the market,” he told DMG.

From August 16-26, a total of 174 COVID-19 cases were reported in Arakan State, the vast majority in Sittwe and none of which were in Ann Township.