UNION Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe raised his concern about the risk of Covid-19 in the country due to the influx of Myanmar migrant workers from Thailand.

During a coordination meeting 30/2020 of the pandemic prevention central committee in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the Union Minister suggested those returnees need to put themselves in self-quarantine as it is not possible for facility quarantine to a large number of people at the same time.

He also advised them to stay at their homes for 14 days to prevent spread of the viral disease among their communities and to report respective healthcare centers every day during this period.

The ministry has also discussed with some hoteliers to use their property as quarantine facilities.

Health authorities are now conducting surveillance and control measures led by senior officials of the ministry in Mandalay region and at border gates.

Foreign staff and their families of the UN, its agencies and foreign missions in Myanmar will only be allowed to stay at their residences.

The Union Minister pointed out the increase in global death rate of this disease from 2.1 to 4.2 per cent, and Myanmar is preparing for medical treatments and accumulating medicines and medical equipment.

The ministry will also set up commanding centres in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and border gates, commencing 23 March, equipped with modern technologies and devices for the 24-hour services of healthcare teams.

He advised the use of hand speakers by local health workers and authorities in the remote areas with no access to broadcast media and internet.

The ministry is preparing to issue Covid-19 negative certificates to staff members of embassies and UN agencies. The rates for both infection and death are increasing in the world, from the United States of America and the European countries to the neighbouring countries of Myanmar, causing alarms to promote awareness campaigns and control measures against the disease. The meeting also discussed updates on the disease, imposing bans on arrival of foreign visitors, restrictions on travels, international trial treatments, field inspections at Myawady border town in Kayin State, purchase of personal protection equipment, accumulation of medicines and medical devices, as well as laboratory tests.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

PHOTO: MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar