The Ministry of Health and Sports has no authority to ban holding ceremonies but it can give only a suggestion, said Dr Khin Khin Gyi, deputy director of the central infectious disease control division. 

On February 28, the ministry declared COVID-19 as endemic or the infectious disease that must be reported. 

The declaration was made as an attempt to speed up preventive and response measures in Myanmar. 

“Using Article 21 (b) of the infectious disease control law, the ministry issued a notification in which COVID-19 was declared as endemic or the infectious disease that must be reported. 

Ours is not the department that has the authority to ban ceremonies and festivities. But we can suggest. It is better if we do not hold assemblies. They are risky. They  should not be done at this time. We are just suggesting. We have already had a central committee. The President himself gave his signature to form the committee with 17 members. There are 12 tasks to be implemented. The meeting has been held two times on February 3 and March 3. At those meetings, we have suggested not holding ceremonies, assemblies and festivities. If they are essential, they should be held with fewer people for fewer days. We have given our suggestions,” said Dr Khin Khin Gyi.