The Myanmar government has stopped issuing visas on arrival and e-visas for all visitors until the end of April as it ramps up its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The ministry of foreign affairs announced the change Friday evening, describing it as an attempt to prevent the “importation and spread” of the virus from countries with high numbers of Covid-19 cases.
The ministry on Friday also announced mandatory two-week quarantines for visitors from the United States, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Belgium.
The measure takes effect Saturday and follows quarantine restrictions announced March 15 on travelers from Italy, Iran, France, Spain, Germany, China and South Korea.
Anyone who has visited these countries in the past two weeks must be quarantined in a government facility for 14 days upon arrival.
They will also need a medical certificate declaring them free of Covid-19 symptoms before boarding a plane to Myanmar.
Diplomats and UN officials are being encouraged to quarantine at home for 14 days on their arrival. Those who intend to travel for “compelling reasons or on important official missions” can contact Myanmar embassies for help gaining entry.
Foreign nationals who have travelled in the past two weeks to China’s Hubei Province, the epicentre of the outbreak, or to Daegu or Gyeongbuk, two Covid-19 hot spots in South Korea, are barred from entering Myanmar entirely.
Myanmar citizens that have been to these hotspots in the past two weeks must be quarantined at government facilities for 14 days.
Two weeks of surveillance will be imposed on anyone who has been in China over the past fortnight.
On Thursday, Myanmar suspended entry for foreign nationals at land borders.
The health and sport ministry said there are still no recorded Covid-19 cases in Myanmar, while two patients are suspected of having the disease.
As of 8pm Friday, a total of 176 people have tested negative and 13 people are still awaiting results, according to the ministry.
The government last week ordered schools and cinemas closed and banned large gatherings – including annual Thingyan celebrations and pagoda festivals – until at least April 30.
Yangon’s densely crowded public transportation services are still operating as normal. Some bus owners have begun spraying disinfectants throughout the vehicles.
![Resistance fighters holding heavy weapons ammunition in central Myanmar. (Photo: Freedom Revolution Force [FRF])](https://myanmar-now.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/438869056_443267851680128_1706386881626943924_n-390x220.jpeg)
