Yangon-As a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon will close from 10 to 19 April, said U Ye Aung Naing, head of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees. 

The shutdown aims to avoid the mass gatherings at the pagoda. There are no pandals in the Thingyan period. As from 31 March, the pagoda will open from 10 am to 3 pm. The disinfection of pagoda is being carried out every day, he added.

Normally, the pagoda opened from 4 am to 10 pm. On 24 March, the Pagoda Board of Trustees changed the opening hour to 9 am-4 pm.  

On 28 March, Sule Pagoda and Botahtaung Pagoda in Yangon closed. 

Churches and mosques have also closed.