Myanmar on Friday stopped issuing e-visas and visas on arrival for all countries and said it would quarantine travellers arriving from nine more coronavirus-hit countries.
The temporary suspension takes effect at 11.59pm until April 30 in light of the global outbreak of Covid-19—the disease caused by coronavirus, according to the statement on the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, and Population website.
Myanmar has zero confirmed cases, claims the government, and has tested 175 people out of a population of 54 million.
A Yangon-based manager of an international airline confirmed to Myanmar Mix that his team as well as other airlines received a letter from the government saying more countries had been added to its quarantine requirement list.
All passengers travelling from the United States, Switzerland, UK, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark must go into quarantine for 14 days if they arrive in the country, according to the letter.
Travellers from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Iran, China, and South Korea have been under quarantine restrictions since March 15.
The notice added that diplomats will be encouraged to take home quarantine for 14 days and travellers must provide a medical certificate saying they have no fever, cough, or shortness of breath before boarding any airline destined to Myanmar.
The move follows the closure of Myanmar's land borders to foreign nationals.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the global Covid-19 outbreak and its impact on Myanmar.
