India closes border checkpoints with Myanmar due to Covid-19 fears

India closes border checkpoints with Myanmar due to Covid-19 fears
Border Checkpoint-2 in Tamu India-Myanmar.
Border Checkpoint-2 in Tamu India-Myanmar.
Published 11 March 2020

 

Due to the global outbreak of Covid-19 , India has started closing border gates at Tamu, Sagaing Region in Myanmar since the morning of March 10, said Tamu Township Lower House MP U Naing Naing Win. 

Yesterday, India closed the border checkpoints in Tamu in Sagaing Region and Moreh in Manipur of India.

Sagaing Region MP U Myint Naing Oo from Tamu Township said: “India has informed Myanmar government about the border shutdown. Two suspected patients were found in Inphar, the city of Manipura. Eleven suspected patients tested negative for the virus. Two suspected patients are pending the result. Myanmar also temporarily closed the border.”

A shopkeeper from Nampharlon market said: “Yesterday, both sides tightened the entry and exit of people. The authorities conducted health checks on the people. Now trade flow and entry of people have stopped. Due to the clourse of border, petai beans sellers find it difficult to sell petai beans. Shopkeepers from Nampharlon market have gone home due to the border shutdown.”

U Kyinlan Khaing, Reedkhawdar Township Commissioner said: “There is no official letter from the Indian government on the closure of border in Chin State.”