Government officials have discussed providing food to all seven million Yangonites as part of a plan to stem the spread of Covid-19.
The Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Covid-19 asked township administrators to start drawing up the logistics of feeding every registered household in Yangon region, reported Daily Eleven.
The details that have surfaced of the seemingly unworkable endeavour are vague. But preparations are being made in case the government introduces tougher Covid-19 restrictions, according to the news outlet.
Myanmar confirmed 869 Covid-19 cases and 17 deaths within the last 24 hours. Yangon region—the hotspot for infections—is under stay-at-home orders meaning trips outside are limited to one person per household for shopping or two for medical treatment.
Most employees must work from home with the exception of supermarket and gas station staff along with workers in several other industries.
While the restrictions are causing economic suffering to many people, the government has not clarified whether the purpose of a plan to feed Yangon would be to support low-income workers, or whether it would be deployed in the event that supermarkets, convenience stores and markets were ordered to close.
“It would be basic food stuff, the exact produce is still being discussed,” Botahtaung township administrator Sein Thaung told Daily Eleven.
An unnamed Tamwe township ward administrator told the news outlet the regional government plans to support every citizen within its jurisdiction.
“They are currently asking how many people there are in each township,” said the official. “The list will be sent above and will need to be approved, then they would give [the food] one by one to each household.”
Myanmar Mix rang several numbers for Botahtaung and Tamwe township administrations, however there was no answer.
Administrators have reportedly been asked to avoid the possibility of crowding in their plans—a scenario that may increase infection rates.
Many questions surround such an immense proposal, among them the number of rations per person, the source of the food, whether there are enough government staff to implement the plan, how many days the distribution would last, the overall cost of the operation, and many more.
The latest new Covid-19 order came yesterday when Yangon’s regional government ordered the closure of betel nut stands, street vendors and roadside restaurants.
