Sagaing’s regional government is cancelling one of its biggest events of the year because of concerns about the coronavirus.
Games, shows and water fights were expected to draw big crowds on the banks of the Chindwin River in Monywa as part of mid-April celebrations for Thingyan, the Burmese New Year.
But a Sagaing minister told local media today that fears over the outbreak of Covid-19—the disease caused by coronavirus—prompted the cancellation of the festival.
Myanmar health authorities have examined dozens of suspected cases, but none has tested positive for the virus. Many people are dubious about the supposed absence of the disease, as the country shares a porous border with China, where Covid-19 originated late last year.
So far the disease has killed more than 3,000 people and infected around 92,000 globally.
The government has reportedly blocked health workers from talking to media about Covid-19 and is urging people to avoid mass gatherings, though the largest Thingyan celebrations in Yangon and Mandalay are currently still going ahead.
Meanwhile, the Myanmar military is taking no chances. Every one of its constitutionally assigned lawmakers wore masks today in parliament as they debated constitutional amendments with democratically elected parliamentarians.
Some Facebook users posted in jest that the worried military representatives should have stayed at home.
The military has also cancelled its annual parade scheduled for late March because of the virus, while Myanmar blocked a cruise ship from docking in Yangon this week, citing fears passengers could be carrying the disease.
