One week ago, Yangon’s government imposed a 10pm-4am curfew for the region, but omitted an end date. That date was clarified yesterday: June 18.
Yangon MPs proposed the curfew for public safety, arguing it would curb the spread of Covid-19 and deter crime that may follow the confirmation of more cases.
A clear-cut consequence of a curfew is the damaging impact it would have on the city’s service industry, with bars and bar staff missing out on much needed revenue.
Curfew violators across the country are being hit with jail sentences—and sometimes hit with sticks.
Shan state along with Mandalay, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions have punished those staying out past 10pm with Section of the Penal Code—disobeying a government order—and the National Disaster Law. Several violators face a month in jail.
Meanwhile, one of the seven Covid-19 cases confirmed today is an employee at Yangon’s Park Royal hotel, local MP Thet Thet Khine posted on Facebook.
More than 50 hotel guests and 90 staff are being quarantined at the hotel, said Thet Thet Khine. About 10 people who had been in contact with the patient will also be screened, she added.
Another well-known hotel, Pan Pacific, in downtown Yangon was shut down for 21 days on April 16 after an employee tested positive for the virus.
Inya Lake Hotel was also placed under quarantine in early April; more than 200 people were unable to leave the compound for 14 days because a staff member at the on-site private clinic SOS International tested positive.
All seven of the latest cases were confirmed in Yangon, bringing the nationwide total number to 139.
