Villages in Fruso Township, Kayah State, have banned any visitors from entering for fear of COVID-19. 

“The villages do not allow any stranger. This means we take our own responsibility for our health and security. Mainly we have to be vigilant against returnees from abroad. If something happens, we have no medicine to cure. This like we ourselves go into lockdown. The village head called a meeting and assigned duties to watch,” said Khu Tu Yel, an elder from Solyaku Village. 

Fruso Township is mostly inhabited by Kayah, Kayaw, Manu and Manaw nationals. They make a living by engaging in farm work. Since 2015, the township has seen more young people go abroad to work due to low prices of crops and bad climate, said members of parliament. 

The returnees from abroad are in facility quarantine at the Fruso town hall. Till the second day, meals had to be sent by their own family members, so donors are being invited.