About 400 Myanmar migrant workers, who wanted to return home during the COVID-19 outbreak in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province, Laos, arrived at Wanbon Port in Maing Phone (A) Village Tract, Techilek at around 10 am on October 16.

The 400 workers: 249 men and 151 women, went to Laos to work in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province and they were in trouble during the COVID-19 epidemic. So they returned to Techilek Township. They were handed over by Laos authorities at Wanbon Port in Maing Phone (A) Village Tract and were systematically inspected and accepted by the relevant authorities on the Myanmar side.

The COVID-19 Prevention, Treatment and Control Committee of Techilek Township screened the 400 Myanmar migrant workers with the RDT test kit for the COVID-19 virus, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health. One was found positive and sent to Wanlong positive center.

A total of 399: 248 men and 151 women, who tested negative for the COVID-19 virus were placed in the Wanlong Quarantine Center for two days. A second test for COVID-19 will be carried out. If they are found not infected with the virus, they will be sent back to their native towns. Those who are found to be infected will be repatriated to their respective homes after spending 11 days at the Wanlong positive center in accordance with the instructions of the ministry.

A total of 3,671 Myanmar migrant workers returned home from work in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province, Laos, returned to Techilek in 13 times from July 30 to October 16.

A total of 3,261 returnees from Laos who had been convicted and 1,104 returnees from Thailand were screened by the Techilek Committee for the Admission and Repatriation of Myanmar Migrant Workers with the support of the multi-urban development committee including funding from the Tachileik District COVID-19 Committee and the support of the local business community to cover the cost of transportation, medical check-up, breakfast and dinner at the quarantine center and transportation charges to send them to their respective places. Only this time, they have to make arrangements to return at their own expense.

Officials from Myanmar and Laos met at the port of Mongmaw in Laos at around 10 am on October 11. Kheuon Phet Vongchanh, Deputy Administrator of Bokeo Province said there are 1,378 Myanmar workers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone who need to be repatriated and the request was made to increase the number of people from 200 or 250 a week to 400 at a time so that they could return home quickly, and the number was increased to 400 on October 16.