There are reports of frauds among Myanmar citizens in China, capitalizing on the fear of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the Myanmar Embassy in China. 

According to the Chinese police, Myanmar citizens who are proficient in Chinese language took money from Myanmar citizens who want to go home, falsely promising them of ways back as the coronavirus had caused transport difficulties, the statement says. 

Myanmar embassy has urged Myanmar citizens to be aware of such frauds and to join the embassy’s arrangement for return trip. 

China sends back illegal Myanmar migrants to Myanmar after China has relaxed its restrictions on them. The Myanmar embassy also requests Myanmar citizens to share true information.  

A total of 123 Myanmar citizens who arrived back in Myanmar, according to the embassy in Beijing. Myanmar citizens who want to go home contact Myanmar. Under the arrangement of Myanmar embassy, the first batch of 64 Myanmar citizens who contacted the embassy was transported to Chinshwehaw border gate on Myanmar-China border on 1 March. 

The first batch covers 64 Myanmar citizens including 12 pregnant mothers and their husbands and the patients. Under the arrangement, the second batch left for Myanmar on 2 March. The second batch covers 59 Myanmar citizens including 15 Chin nationals. The second batch is accompanied by two Chinese doctors and 14 Chinese police members. 

China will transfer them to Myanmar after medical checkup, national verification and other checks at Chinshwehaw border gate. 

As a measure to effectively carry out the prevention and control of virus, the Ministry of Health and Sports designated COVID-19 as ‘principal epidemic disease’ or ‘notifiable disease”, by exercising the rights described in Section 21 (b) of the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law.

This order shall be in effect until further notice.  

There are no reports of confirmed cases in Myanmar.