Mandalay officials are beginning to ease some Covid-19 restrictions, though gatherings will still largely be banned, the regional government announced.
Beginning Saturday, the city’s evening curfew will be pushed back from 10pm to midnight. The curfew’s end will remain at 4am.
On May 12, the regional government had already given the green light to 1,015 factories to resume production after they passed inspections. Most businesses will also be able to reopen now, with some industries excepted.
“Entertainment businesses such as KTVs, massage parlors and resorts will remain under lockdown,” acting chief minister for Mandalay Zarni Aung told Myanmar Now.
Religious gatherings will also still be banned, and restaurants will still operate on a take-away or delivery basis only.
Hotels will be allowed to reopen after passing inspections by the health ministry. Transportation companies can also resume operating once the National-Level Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment of Covid-19 gives them the okay, Zarni Aung said.
The decisions were made at a May 13 meeting officials held to discuss current restrictions, which were set to expire on May 15.
Mandalay’s nighttime curfew was already pushed back once before, on April 18, from 9pm to 10pm.
Myanmar has 181 Covid-19 cases including 6 deaths and 79 recoveries as of May 14.
Three cases were in Mandalay, all of which have recovered. Two have returned home while one is still quarantined at a hotel.
