The number of COVID-19 infections has increased in 17 townships in northern Shan State within one month and there are 1529 people infected with the virus as of July 3 and 3 cities placed under stay at home order.

Among the infected people, 230 people had recovered from the virus and 10 were killed. 

“Ministry of Health and Sports has announced that Lashio, Laukkai and Naung Cho towns were under stay at home rule on June 27. As the number of infections is higher in Laukkai, there are limitations such as trespassing to another ward. There are closing signs in every street, government staff have to wear their uniform when they go to offices, and they have to show their identity cards. There are guards downtown and at every closing gate in every street. Markets downtown and restaurants downtown have closed. Locals have to feed themselves with dry commodities,” Nyo Nyo Win from Laukkai.

Hotels were closed in Laukkai, which is in the Kokant self-administrative region. Laukkai is the second city with most COVID-19 patients in northern Shan State.

“In Lashio, 552 people were infected with the virus till July 4. They are placed at Lashio hospital quarantine center and Lashio education college.” said an official from the township level working committee on control and treatment of CVID-19 in Lashio.

Operation of bus lines were also stopped in some townships to control the spread of COVID-19.