Hotels and guesthouses in Mandalay are to suspend their operation receiving no new guests, Mandalay Region Tourism Committee has instructed. 

The instruction became effective on September 22 as a measure to prevent and control the Covid-19 spread. When the situation is well under control, they will be allowed to resume operation. 

“In our region, Covid-19 cases are increasing. We had to issue such an instruction because some hotel staff members have also been infected with the virus. The hotels and guesthouses can accept the existing guests until they leave. But they can no longer receive new guests. The instruction letter was issued on September 22. Some hotels have long-stay guests. We have asked them to give us lists,” said Zaw Myo Latt, director of Mandalay Region Directorate of Hotels and Tourism. 

The Public Health Laboratory (Mandalay) tested 555 Covid-19 samples on September 22 alone and 22 cases were confirmed. Among those confirmed patients were 18 hotel staff in Mandalay. 

Mandalay Region has seen over 170 cases and one death.