Pilgrims are flocked in Marn Shwe Settaw Pagoda festival in Magway Region amidst COVID-19 virus concern though rumours said the festival will be discontinued, sources said.

The festival was start held on January 29 and it will be held for 80 days. More than 500 shops and over 1,000 tents are made ready for the festival. Criticisms are increased as the festival needs to discontinue due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 virus globally. Magway Region government and Marn Shwe Settaw Pagoda trustee board said they have no reason to close the festival yet.

“We opened a clinic at the office of the pagoda trustee board from March 7 to 9 and are also announcing about the directions to follow the protection of COVID-19 virus five times a day,” said Htay Win, Chairman of the pagoda trustee board.

“We are already collected money to go to the pagoda festival but we didn’t go though we heard Marn Shwe Settaw Pagoda festival is crowded with pilgrims,” said a local from Pyay.

Shop owners and businessmen are worried about the rumours to shut down the pagoda festival.

Dr Aung Moe Nyo, the region chief minister said to the media that they will not discontinue the festival as no COVID-19 virus is found in Myanmar yet and they are concerned about the shut-down of the festival which will make the shop owners suffer. The regional government will discontinue the festival if Ministry of Health and Sports announced the first case of COVID-19 virus is found in Myanmar.

Dr Hla Win Myint, Rector of University of Medicine in Taunggyi said, “We should provide more health talks to people about the virus. The ministry is broadcasting about the virus from television channels.”

The festival goers also visited Myathalun Pagoda, Kyaungtaw Yar Pagoda, Sakanetae Pagoda and Nagarpwat Mountain and it is teeming with people.