As Myanmar workers return in large numbers from Thailand, authorities need to take systematic measures for prevention of Covid-19, said Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe.

A coordination meeting took place through a video conferencing on May 26 involving region/state ministers for social affairs and heads of public health and medical services departments. At the meeting, the minister made the remark saying that new Covid-19 patients confirmed these days were returnees from abroad.

Currently, Myanmar could have controlled the disease to a certain degree. However, ongoing measures cannot be withdrawn and cooperation must continue because the nature of Covid-19 is not known completely, he added.

The whole world has seen over 5.4 million Covid-19 cases and over 340,000 deaths. In Myanmar, local transmissions are not found these days but returnees from overseas are found positive for the coronavirus.

The government is taking preventive measures such as establishing community-based quarantine centers along the routes from border gates, testing returnees for Covid-19 and transporting them to their native places after their quarantine.