Mandalay city has lifted its stay-at-home rule after the two-week period in which disciplinary actions were taken against over 13,000 residents for breaching the rule, according to a statement released by the Mandalay Region government on December 18.  

The statement is entitled “Measures taken by the regional government for Covid-19 prevention, control and treatment”. 

The stay-home rule was imposed from December 5 to 18 and 13,222 residents were fined Ks66.11 million until 5 pm on December 15. 

The statement says the money collected in the form of fines for violating the rule will be spent in the public interest in Mandalay District. And there will be no more rules and fine as of December 18. 

“First we knew the rule is until December 18. But the government’s statement says there will be no action on December 18 (today). We will only continue requesting the residents about wearing masks. The statement came out today but inspection teams were performing their duties at that time,” said Soe Zeyar Tun, deputy administrator of Chanmyathazi Township. 

In Mandalay District formed with seven townships, about four in 1,000 people who have Covid-19 tests are found infected with the virus. So, more treatment centers are being established and the hospitals have to extend their wards.   

The chief minister said those who failed to follow the stay-home rule would face social punishment or fine. But, the violators were only asked to pay a fine of Ks5,000.  

Mandalay District saw 8,469 Covid-19 cases and 115 deaths till December 17. Despite the strict stay-home rule for two week, cases did not fall.