Mandalay Tourist Guide Association issued a statement on 17 February, showing a strong opposition to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association’s notification on allowing the Chinese tourists to visit Myanmar with health certificate. 

U Win Zaw Oo, chair of Mandalay Tourist Guide Association said: “Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association issued a notification that tourism agencies will proceed with their planned tour schedules by asking for health certificates from Chinese tourists as tourism agencies will have to pay compensations due to the cancellation of tour schedules. The association strongly opposes it as nothing is as important as the lives of more than 54 million Myanmar citizens. We issued a remonstration letter after the association’s EC meeting.”

In the letter of Mandalay  Tourist Guide Association, the WHO announced that the countries are unable to control the spread of infectious disease. It has spread to many countries. As a measure to prevent and control Covid-19 as a national duty and lack of vaccine, Myanmar should not allow all tourists from China where the case originated. 

The association also called on tour guides not to offer services to tourists from China until the Ministry of Health and Sports, the WHO and the National SRT declare the situation is safe. 

“Myanmar is not included in the list of affected countries yet. Currently, tourists from European countries and Thailand visit Myanmar. Allowing Chinese tourists may reduce the number of tourists from the western countries due to a decline in trust, U Win Zaw Oo said