No lockdown is made yet in Shan State and China restricted the entry in Chin Shwe Haw and Yan Lon Kyaing gates in China-Myanmar border said an official of the Shan State government on March 30.

Many returnees came back to Shan State and they are kept in quarantine at home, said Dr Myo Tun, State Minister for Social Affairs and Chair of National Level Central Committee for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Prevention, Control and Treatment for Shan State.

“At present, we told people not to flock and hold ceremonies. Night markets are shut down. It is difficult to decide for each person. The decision to lockdown can be made only through govt meetings. The COVID-19 had become a pandemic. All need to participate as a nationalization process as the COVID-19 cases were found in Myanmar. The government is doing its work and the staffs are also. People need to make cooperation,” he said.

China temporarily blocked the entry in Chin Shwe Haw and Yan Lon Kyaing gates in China-Myanmar border and only a truck driver in each truck is allowed to enter. Myanmar citizens can enter to China if only they have a medical recommendation from the Healthcare department of Shan State, said Kyaw Thu Zaw, Deputy General Administrator of the state.

The tasks of prevention, control, and treatment for COVID-19 are implemented in Shan State since at the end of January and fever surveillance works are carried out in all 28 border gates. The health authorities have prepared eight hospitals in Shan State if the COVID-19 outbreak occurred in the state.

A total of 64 people are being under investigation for COVID-19 and one suspect case is found in Shan State till March 29. According to lad results, 61 of them have no infection of COVID-19 virus and four people are waiting for the results, according to Shan State government office.