Trade between Myanmar and China has almost halted for 20 days due to the coronavirus with watermelon and muskmelon most affected, according to sources from Khwar Nyo fruit wholesale centre. 

While trying to control the virus, China is also striving to make its slow economy return to normal. 

The Facebook page of the wholesale centre said China would reopen transport routes within days but the market will still be lost in the seven coronavirus-hit provinces. 

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the government is helping merchants to seek local markets and sell melons in Yangon by opening shops. 

Local market plan includes selling melons at festivals and markets in Yangon city, opening shops in the Yangon municipality areas and selling products door to door. 

Muse 105th Mile Border Trade Zone released a statement on January 27 saying that there is much difficulty with sale of Myanmar fruits following China’s restriction of transport routes due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

The situation is unavoidable and trade can be resumed only if China can put the coronavirus under control.