Medical experts, municipal waste managers and environmentalists are united in reminding the public to properly dispose of used face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eight truck drivers and drivers’ assistants on routes entering Ann Township, Arakan State, in recent days have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the township-level COVID-19 prevention, control and emergency response committee.

A pass from the Arakan State security and border affairs minister is required to bring pharmaceuticals and facemasks from Yangon into Arakan State, according to Ann Township administrator U Ko Ko Myat. 

Political parties and candidates for the upcoming general election are urging the Union Election Commission (UEC) to announce as soon as possible those townships in Arakan State that will not be holding the vote next month. 

Two men from Ywahaung village in Ann Township were injured in a shelling on October 11 and were hospitalised a day later, according to people assisting the victims, who said travel restrictions prevented them from receiving proper medical treatment the day of the incident. 

A Muslim man was injured and four homes were damaged or destroyed when artillery shells landed and exploded in Gotepihtaunt village, Kyauktaw Township, on October 11, according to locals. 

Myanmar’s Union Election Commission (UEC) is an independent organisation that has not been controlled by the government, according to U Zaw Htay, director-general of the State Counsellor’s Office, who pushed back against suggestions to the contrary at a press conference over the weekend. 

There were 229 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment at hospitals in the entirety of Arakan State as of October 9, according to Arakan State Public Health Department data made available on Saturday.

Arrangements are underway to open polling stations at camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) that are deemed safe, in order to allow these war-affected populations in Arakan State to vote in the November 8 general election. 

The United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) has urged an end to hostilities in Arakan and Shan states, and the coalition of ethnic political parties is also pushing for trilateral peace talks between the government, the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organisations.  

Fifty-one Tatmadaw officers are being transferred to Arakan State’s border guard police (BGP) force as security personnel in western Myanmar simultaneously confront two different armed groups, according to government spokesman U Zaw Htay. 

Residents of Phayarpaung village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township have accused military personnel of seizing relief items and food supplies provided to locals whose homes were set ablaze last month. 

More than 9,000 people in Arakan State will cast their votes for the upcoming general election in advance, according to the state election subcommission. 

A restaurant owner from Ward-3 in Ann Township, Arakan State, and two customers were reportedly charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law after the latter were allowed to dine at the restaurant on October 7. 

The Tatmadaw has opened a case against a resident of Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township after allegedly finding explosive devices at his home.  

A woman was killed and two others were injured when a landmine exploded on October 9 near Van Vwe village in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, locals said. 

Eight out of more than 100 truck drivers and assistants who have entered Arakan State in recent days have tested positive for COVID-19, the state’s Public Health Department said on October 9. 

A total of 124 more polling stations are planned to be set up in Arakan State for the upcoming general election as a social distancing measure in the COVID-19 era, according to the state election subcommission. 

Local residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township will be punished under Section 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law if they go out after 11a.m. except for health reasons starting on October 9, according to a statement from the township COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment committee.