Yangon--As a measure to contain the deadly coronavirus which originated in Wuhan of China, Myanmar has suspended the issuance of visa on arrival to tourists from China, according to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 1 February.
On 30 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO called on the people to avoid non-essential travel and the countries to step up their efforts for prevention and control of the virus. The ministry decided to temporarily stop issuing visas on arrival to the tourists from China due to the alarming level of novel coronavirus transmission and the public health concern, the statement says.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, Myanmar issues visa on arrival to visitors from 67 countries at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports. The ministry first allowed visa on arrival for people from 54 countries who entered Myanmar with tourist visa, business visa, visas related to training courses, meetings and research work, transit visa or crew visa. Transit visa is allowed for China, Italy, Australia, Germany, India, Spain, Switzerland, and Russia.
Since 1 January, this year, the ministry has started allowing visa on arrivals to the tourists from Austria, Hungary, New Zealand, Czech Republic and Luxembourg.
Since 1 October, 2018, Myanmar granted the visa-free entry for citizens of Japan and South Korea and visa on arrival for Chinese citizens including the tourists from two self-administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
