The Government of Myanmar is looking to lift the ban on foreign travel for its citizens with travel purpose of urgent business. The country will lift the ban for the first time since all international commercial passenger flights suspended on March 30, 2020 as an effort to limit the risk and spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in its statement issued on Monday (July 27) that it will allow citizens to board international flights after confirming they have urgent business matters to attend.

The ministry will also allow travelers to travel aboard who is seeking emergency medical or surgical appointments abroad, scholars and students working or studying abroad as part of private or government programs, seamen and citizens who need to return to the workplace on time and other people engaged in emergency affairs. These citizens will be allowed to take special flights or relief flights arranged to bring home nationals who are stuck in foreign countries.

The MOFA also urged citizens who planning to travel abroad to arrange the necessary travel documents in advance. They must apply for any required entry visas at the relevant embassy in Yangon by themselves. Moreover, they must submit the necessary documents to the airline or to the relief and special flight organization in advance. The MOFA will inform them whether they have been allowed to travel through airlines or not.

However, the citizens who are allowed to travel will need to make arrangements with their respective airlines to purchase tickets.

Apart from above, the MOFA has also announced on Thursday (July 30) to extend the existing restrictions on foreigners’ entry into the country along with suspension of all types of visas till August 31, 2020.

Foreign nationals including who wish to visit Myanmar for urgent official missions or compelling reasons will be required to contact the Myanmar mission for possible exception to certain visa restrictions.

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in Myanmar, the country has reported a total number of 353 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 6 patients have died due to virus. However, 296 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Saturday (August 1).