Myanmar: Extended quarantine measures implemented due to COVID-19 March 19

Event

The Myanmar government's travel restriction on individuals arriving from countries affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including Italy, Iran, France, Spain, or Germany in the preceding 14 days remains in place as of Thursday, March 19. Individuals who have traveled to these countries will be placed in government quarantine facilities for 14 days upon arrival and will be required to present a medical certificate from the respective countries to show that they are not exhibiting any respiratory symptoms.

Meanwhile, foreign travelers who have visited high risk areas such as China's Hubei province, as well as Daegu city and the Gyeongbuk region in South Korea, will be prohibited from entering Myanmar until further notice, while Myanmar nationals will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine in government facilities. All travelers including Myanmar nationals arriving from other areas in South Korea outside of Daegu city and the Gyeongbuk regoin will be quarantined at home for 14 days and will also need to present a medical certificate issued by South Korean health authorities to show that they do not have any respiratory symptoms prior to check-in.

Authorities have also cancelled all large public gatherings, including the annual Thingyan Festival, and have closed cinemas and preschools, from Friday, March 13, until the end of April as a precautionary measure.

There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of Wednesday, March 18. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.