Myanmar citizens sent by the Immigration Detention Center (IDC) from Thailand are arriving in Myanmar through Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No (2), and they will be housed in a quarantine center in Kyauklonegyi for health checks, said the commissioner of Myawady District. 

Myanmar citizens released from detention will be placed in Kyauklonegyi quarantine center and have medical checkups at Myawady Hospital, Commissioner Tayzar Aung told The Daily Eleven on May 17. 

 “Those released from penalty and IDC as per the Thai law were handed over after contacts between the immigration departments of the two countries. They received detailed medical checkups. They were placed in Kyauklonegyi quarantine center as soon as they arrived. They were sent to Myawady District  Hospital for check ups including X-ray, urine and blood tests. Depending on their health conditions, they would have X-ray tests if necessary. TB tests were also carried out if necessary. All had to undergo Covid-19 tests. On the fourth day after they had arrived, their swabs were taken and the results would be announced the following day. If they test negative, they can stay safe at the quarantine center for 21 days. They can also be transferred to respective quarantine centers in various regions and states,” Tayzar Aung said. 

Those who arrived at Myawady border gate on May 17 were handed over to Myanmar after they had been arrested for various reasons. On that day, 45 people arrived back at the friendship bridge No (2). The total number was 90 as 45 others arrived by plane. 

One woman who was handed over said she turned herself in because she wanted to return home. 

A person who had returned by plane said: “Whatever would happen, I wanted to return to my motherland. I had to pay 3,300 baht.