YANGON: Three more towns here have been placed under semi-lockdown with immediate effect, according to the Health and Sports Ministry.
According to reports in the Myanmar Times, residents in Mingalardon, Tarmwe and Botahtaung townships will have to follow restrictions announced on April 18 in seven other Yangon townships.
A 10pm-4am curfew imposed on all 45 townships will remain effective beyond May 15 until June 18, said the Yangon regional government.
On April 23, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had said in a Facebook update that all directives announced by the Central Committee on Prevention, Controlling and Treatment of Covid-19 were effective until May 15.
However, implementation of the policies and directives recommended by the committee varies in each region and state, depending on the situation and environment.
Out of the 144 cases in Myanmar, 113 are from Yangon and health experts expect more cases will be detected as the ministry expands its testing capacity today, when authorities start using a Swiss-made Cobas 6800 Analy- ser machine to test samples.
All 10 townships under semi-lockdown must adhere to the following measures:
1. Except for government employees, corporate employees and factory workers who have to go to work, all residents are required to stay at home;
2. Only one person per household is allowed to leave the house to obtain essential supplies;
3. Only two persons per household are allowed to visit a clinic or hospital;
4. All are required to wear masks upon leaving their homes;
5. Only vehicles ferrying passengers to and from their workplaces will be allowed to pass through the townships;
6. When leaving the house to obtain essential goods within the ward, only one person is allowed in a vehicle other than the driver;
7. Only two persons are allowed in each vehicle, apart from the driver, when visiting a clinic or hospital; and,
8. If there is a need for more people to leave their homes or commute, or during emergencies, permission from the ward administrator is required.