Spokesperson of the President's Office, U Zaw Htay said that some political party leaders are spreading wrong information and fake news, and that instructions had been given to prosecute those that are doing so regarding COVID-19 as well as the State Counselor.     

At the Zoom news conference held on 10 Oct. at the President's House, U Zaw Htay said that "there are some leaders of political parties who are spreading wrong information at this time. We have found that wrong information regarding COVID-19 is being spread. 

The Ministry of Health and Sports has responded and instructions have been given to prosecute those who spread information and fake news regarding COVID-19," said U Zaw Htay.      

He warned to not alarm the general public or to mislead them as well as to not do or say anything that would be detrimental to the efforts being made by the health workers during the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.     

U Zaw Htay continued that when health workers, social welfare workers and people are out there working hard at the forefront, there are some elements who seem to throw cold water on the good work being done. Not only that, they spread wrong information. This is something that should not be done. When we tried to follow up their (Facebook) account was disabled."

When every nation is trying to face the COVID-19 pandemic with resources available to them, some do not contribute but instead spread misinformation on social media.

We have been able to find some leads as to the spreading rumours and wrong information regarding the State Counselor. We got the telephone numbers; we got addresses, and we got their gmail accounts. We also got many of their social contacts. Regarding this the State Counselor has given three guidelines, and we say this so that the media too knows what is going on," said U Zaw Htay.