The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Myanmar has announced on Saturday (Aug 29) that the government has decided to further extend the temporary entry restrictions on inbound visitors by another month till September 30, in an effort to limit the transmission of COVID-19 to the community.

Moreover, the ministry has extended the ban on issuing all type of visas including on-arrival visa, e-visa, social visit visa and visa exemption services till end of this month. The ministry has also extended the ban on foreign travelers from entering into the country.

However, United Nations officials, diplomats and foreign nationals who require travelling for essential reasons are allowed to enter into Myanmar. They should contact the nearest Myanmar embassy or consulate in country of their residence to determine how to facilitate their return.

Upon arrival in Myanmar, they will be required to comply with precautionary health and safety measures. They have to undergo quarantine for 7 days at designated isolation center or at their home. They will be required to present a health certificate stating that they have tested negative for the virus. The certificate must be issued in the country or region of departure and submitted upon arrival in Myanmar. The certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before date of travel.

The government has taken another move by extending the suspension of international passenger flights expect relief or repatriation flights to and from Myanmar till end of September, to prevent the importation of the virus through air travel.

The country had imposed ban on operation of all international commercial flights on March 20. Only special flights and repatriation flights are allowed to operate. Last week, 90 Myanmar nationals arrived in the country from India on a special flight. According to the Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the 5th evacuation flight which brought Myanmar nationals from India amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in Myanmar, the country has seen a resurgence of infection and has reported a total number of 1,111 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 6 patients have lost their lives due to the virus. However, 359 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Friday (Sept 4).