Myanmar has announced its most stringent travel restrictions yet in a bid to curb the spread of the spiralling Covid-19 outbreak.
From Wednesday (March 25), all foreign nationals must show a medical certificate issued proving they have tested negative for the virus before boarding any airline destined for Myanmar.
On arrival they will be quarantined for 14 days. The certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel, and the restrictions also cover diplomats as well as UN officials.
Myanmar nationals will also be subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days. However the announcement from the foreign affairs ministry does not clarify whether returning Myanmar nationals also need to present a similar medical certificate.
The move follows the suspension of e-visas and visas on arrival for all countries, the closure of Myanmar’s land borders to foreign nationals, and increased quarantine measures on travellers arriving from coronavirus-hit countries.
Last night Myanmar confirmed its first coronavirus cases: a 36-year-old Myanmar man in Chin state and a 26-year-old Myanmar man in Yangon.
