Upper House MP Khin Maung Myint (aka) U Cho has expressed concern that over 3,500 of more than 4,000 returnees from overseas to Kachin State are in-home quarantine. 

According to official figures, till April 3, Kachin State had 4,328 people who returned from overseas and 192 in community-based facility quarantine. Of them, 1,027 had been sent home after 14 days. 

“Home quarantines are not safe. When returnees arrived back in Myitkyina, we urged them to be in facility quarantine at schools and churches. If they are at home, their families are not safe. Our Kachin State has around 5,000 people returnees from abroad. I want them to report to parliamentary representatives and the government about their necessities,” aid MP Khin Maung Myint. 

According to Kachin State Public Health Department, the state had 1,971 returnees in Moenyin District, 832 in Myitkyina District and 164 in PutaO District till April 4. 

Dr Daung Naw from Myitkyina District Public Health Department said: “For those in-home quarantines, they need to follow the disciplines. They must stay at least three feet or six feet apart. They don’t have to have meals together with their family members. They must use the toilet and bathroom on a basis of limited time. We conduct medical checks on them when they arrive back. We tell them and their families about the instructions to follow. We give them contact phone numbers. But facility quarantine is the best.” 

In the state, 21 suspected patients tested negative.