Kyaikhto Township had closed the old Sittaung River bridge in Thein Za Yat on September 27, only allowing entry and exit through the Sittaung Bridge in Moke Pa Lin.

According to Theni Za Yat's adminstrator Tay Zar Kyi, the Mon regional government met on September 24, issuing the order to close down the bridge the next day due to COVID-19 concerns. 

"We let the people know on September 25 and 26 with loudspeakers of the plan to block the Thein Za Yat side. We even went around to villages in the 5 miles vicinity of the bridge. On September 27 morning, we have blocked the bridge," said Tay Zar Kyi.

He also mentions that several waterway gates such as the Seikkanthar and Ywar Ma jetties in Thein Za Yat have all been closed with prior notice to all water-workers.

Tay Zar Kyi continues,"If the government allows the reopening of the bridge. We will also be letting the public know in advance. For now, we have only recieved the order to shut it down. Since the gate on Thein Za Yat side is closed, we will be able to move forward the Health and Safety check gate by around two furlongs to check on all coming to and fro."

According to him, this decision servers to not only benefit Mon State but for Kayin and Tanintharyi Regions as Mon is the "gateway" to those regions.