TAUNGGYI-A mask campaign led by the Shan State Government has been criticized for causing a mass gathering of people.

The campaign covers 21 Townships in southern Shan State and was led by the Shan State’s Prime Minister.

The Shan State Government Committee including the Prime Minister, Civic and Social Organizations and departmental personnel also participated in the campaign. And the attendees distributed face masks, hand-gel and COVID-19 awareness pamphlets to the street vendors and shoppers.

The campaign aims to educate the public on the need to wear face masks whenever they will go out in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Moreover, the campaign will be launched in eastern and northern Shan State.

Soe Nyunt Lwin, Planning and Finance Minister from Shan State government, urged those attendees to follow the Social Distancing aiming not to occur at the mass gathering. He also offered the CSOs, students and departmental personnel to join in the mask campaign.

However, Taunggyi residents had criticized them on social media because the campaign caused a mass gathering of people.

On behalf of the Shan State Government Committee, Soe Nyunt Lwin apologized on his social media page for the incident.

Moreover, he pledged to carry out the mask campaign systematically without drawing crowds.

The campaign will be conducted one day per week for one month, said Soe Nyunt Lwin.