Swab tests are being conducted on Bengalis caught in Ayeyawady Region for Covid-19. 

Their swabs were sent on the evening of August 30. 

Than Htun Aung, head and deputy director general of Ayeyawady Region Medical Services and Public Health Department, said  that tests are being conducted on Bengalis as well as six other culprits. Those who had taken part in arresting the Bengalis are just kept in quarantine. Their movements are restricted in their respective townships.

He said: “At the clinic, swabs of the 42 Bengalis were collected. They were in a truck in a forest on the way to Kunchaung dam in Kyaukkan Township. They were under police custody.” 

He added that there was difficulty in collecting swabs due to the language barrier. But a Bengali who understood Myanmar helped as an interpreter. The swabs were sent to Yangon. 

The 42 Bengalis and five others in the boat were caught on August 27 in the river near Bogalay Township and Mawlamyinekyun Township.