Most workers in Bago Region are willing to have their factories closed temporarily for COVID-19 concerns, the regional minister for natural resources, forestry and environmental conservation has said it is not possible to close the factories at the moment, stressing the need to seek coordination from the union government. 

Some workers are demanding closures of factories with thousands of workers as the region has stopped large gatherings such as pagoda festivals and other festivities while monitoring measures are being taken for returnees from overseas. 

Authorities, however, point out some difficulties with factory closures such as possible widespread virus infections resulting from closures of factories, some of which manufacture PPE suits and masks, complicated quarantine plans for workers when they go back home and come back to the factories and their economic impacts. 

“I don’t want to say about the employer. It is concerned with the clear policy of the government. I want the government to officially close the factories. They say people must stay three feet apart. But at factories, we have to work in close contact. All can be infected. A factory has over 1,000 workers. They can be virus carriers for their families as well. This is why we want temporary closures,” said Han Ni Oo, a female worker from Great Men garment factory and chairperson of Bago Township Garment and Textile Worker Union. 

Minister Dr Saw Nyo Win said: “We cannot guarantee infections are not spread at the factories. But our region has factories manufacturing PPE and masks. Even Korean has to place orders. The State also place orders from our region. If they close, it is like we are destroying the tools for fighting COVID-19. We also need to consider the living conditions of the workers. The workers need to be quarantined when they go back to their homes after factory closures. Since February, we have been taking preventive measures. We could overcome the first wave. We have thermal scanners worth over Ks 40 or 50 million. We are reporting to the State leaders. Now, it is not possible to close those factories.” 

So far, Bago Region has 19,885 returnees from overseas. There are 9,630 people in-home quarantine, 8,902 in facility quarantine, 26 suspected cases, four infected cases and 1,223 who have gone home after completing their quarantines.