Myanmar workers are going back to China in recent days as factories located the border between two countries reopen with some shops and trade activities become active again although the regions hard hit by the coronavirus remain closed. 

Following the virus outbreak, Myanmar workers returned from China in January. 

“A lot of workers from upper Myanmar arrived at the bus terminals in Lashio today. Some will be going to Laukkai and Chinshwehaw while some are going back to factories in Shweli and Kyegaung. Over the past few days, there were a few going to Musese and Laukkai. But these days, many workers are going to places such as Muse, Laukkai and Chinshwehaw,” said Lashio resident Nyi Nyi Hlaing. 

Thaung Tun of Karuna Social Aid Organization in Muse said China had reopened some highways but people could not go to the provinces with a high level of outbreak.

“The factories in China are calling back the workers here. Every day, about ten thousand people go back to China through Muse border gate. There are also some who go to China in the morning and return to Muse in the evening. We don’t collect data of people going to China. We only make lists of those returning from China. The lists are made during health checks,” Taung Tun said. 

On February 23 at the fruit market of Muse 105th Mile Border Trade Zone, 230 trucks carrying watermelon and  muskmelon arrived and 219 trucks of loads were sold.