Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Rather Than Lockdown, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Says Some Communities in Myanmar May Face Quarantine

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 07:30 AM PDT

In an address to the nation, the State Counselor hints at possible community quarantines, while urging people to stay home as much as possible to curb COVID-19.

Three Villagers Injured in Landmine Blasts in Western Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 06:42 AM PDT

Two men lost legs and another suffered an arm injury in two landmine blasts in Rakhine State's Rathedaung Township on Sunday.

Myanmar’s Special Branch Police Sue Editor Under Counter Terrorism Law

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 06:15 AM PDT

The editor of Voice of Myanmar faces a lawsuit for publishing an interview with a spokesperson of the Arakan Army, which Myanmar's government recently deemed a terrorist group.

All Homecoming Migrant Workers Must Stay in Quarantine Centers: Myanmar Govt

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 06:11 AM PDT

After an imported COVID-19 case among a migrant returning from Thailand was detected, Myanmar imposes a mandatory quarantine on all migrant workers.

Myanmar Forms Civil-Military Emergency Task Force to Boost COVID-19 Response

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 04:24 AM PDT

A newly-formed civil-military committee will support Myanmar's government not only on law enforcement but also in other areas to enhance its fight against the coronavirus.

Myanmar Military Warns KIA: Drive Out AA or Face Attack

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 03:47 AM PDT

Myanmar's military says it is ready to attack two Kachin State towns unless the Arakan Army is forced to leave.

As COVID-19 Arrives in Myanmar, Individual Responsibility, Competent Leadership Needed

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 01:49 AM PDT

To fight COVID-19, it's important for individuals to act responsibly, while officials must enforce health guidelines and give medical workers the support they need.

COVID-19-Positive Cancer Patient Dies in Myanmar Hospital

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 01:23 AM PDT

A 69-year-old cancer patient who recently returned from Australia has died after testing positive for COVID-19, becoming Myanmar's first coronavirus-related fatality.

Discipline in Myanmar in the Time of Global Pandemic

Posted: 31 Mar 2020 12:30 AM PDT

Myanmar's military is not the only force with the discipline to take on COVID-19, as doctors, nurses and journalists work on the frontlines to protect the lives of citizens.

World Bank Warns Pandemic Will Hit Growth in Asia, China

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 11:01 PM PDT

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to see growth in developing Asian countries fall to -0.5% to 2.1% in 2020, harming poverty eradication efforts, the World Bank said.

Indonesia to Restrict Public Movement as Study Warns of Surge in Coronavirus Deaths

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 11:01 PM PDT

Indonesian President Joko Widodo plans to clamp down on mobility and enforce social distancing as experts warn of hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 deaths in the country.

Indian Police Fire Tear Gas at Jobless Workers Defying Coronavirus Lockdown

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 10:45 PM PDT

Indian migrant workers left jobless by the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown have clashed with police in the western city of Surat.
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Monday, March 30, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Reports Four New COVID-19 Cases; Total Climbs to 14

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 07:35 AM PDT

Three French tourists and a local man returning from Thailand tested positive for COVID-19 Monday, taking Myanmar's total number of cases to 14, health officials said.

Naypyitaw Health Bosses Hopeful COVID-19 Under Control in Myanmar’s Capital

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 07:09 AM PDT

Naypyitaw has taken decisive steps to quarantine around 500 people, including a Swiss UN employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

Myanmar Military Gives Support to Religious Leaders, Govt on COVID-19 Prevention

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 06:21 AM PDT

Spraying disinfectant at religious sites and donating supplies to religious leaders across Myanmar, the military pledged to cooperate with the government to tackle COVID-19.

Ex-Myanmar Minister’s Son Jailed for 30 Years After Drugs and Guns Bust

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 06:14 AM PDT

An ex-sports minister's son, Phyo Ko Ko Tint San, was caught with drugs, guns and fake security kit in 2017.

Health Certificates Required to Enter Mandalay Religious Sites as Myanmar Struggles With COVID-19

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 05:42 AM PDT

The Mandalay government has told leaders of all faiths to only allow people to enter religious sites if they show a recent health certificate stating they don't have COVID-19.

AA Raids Rice Shipment Intended for Displaced Villagers in Myanmar’s Chin State

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 05:36 AM PDT

After halting an aid shipment intended for displaced Paletwa villagers, the AA negotiated to buy some of the rice but later failed to pay for it, local officials said.

Myanmar Told to Brace for Major COVID-19 Outbreak as Returning Migrant Among New Cases

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 01:31 AM PDT

With a migrant returnee testing positive for COVID-19, health officials warn a serious outbreak is likely; more than 23,000 workers have recently returned from Thailand.

Myanmar Bans Incoming Commercial Flights to Tackle COVID-19

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 01:29 AM PDT

Myanmar has banned incoming commercial flights until April 13 after eight air travelers tested positive with coronavirus.

Bridegroom Arrested for Throwing Wedding Party Amid Ban on Public Gatherings in Myanmar

Posted: 30 Mar 2020 12:39 AM PDT

A bridegroom in western Myanmar was arrested after he held his wedding reception Saturday despite authorities' requests that he obey a ban on public gatherings over COVID-19.

Myanmar Govt Announces Loan Package for Coronavirus-Hit Businesses in Key Sectors

Posted: 29 Mar 2020 11:20 PM PDT

Hotel and tour operators, garment and other manufacturing businesses, as well as SMEs hurt by COVID-19 can now apply for low-interest loans from the government.

US Extends Stay-at-Home Guidelines to End of April to Fight Virus

Posted: 29 Mar 2020 10:19 PM PDT

The US government extended its non-mandatory guidelines asking people to stay at home after an estimate showed 2.2. million people could die if the pandemic isn't contained.

Vietnam PM Asks Major Cities to Prepare for Lockdown to Stop Virus

Posted: 29 Mar 2020 10:12 PM PDT

The Vietnamese prime minister told major cities to prepare for lockdowns as the country has entered the COVID-19 pandemic's "peak period" but still has less than 200 cases.

Modi Seeks ‘Forgiveness’ From India’s Poor Over Coronavirus Lockdown

Posted: 29 Mar 2020 10:06 PM PDT

People across India have criticized their prime minister as the country's three-week lockdown has left many hungry and forced jobless migrant workers to flee cities.
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Saturday, March 28, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 08:30 PM PDT

This week Myanmar's authorities and food dealers moved to ensure staples arrived at reasonable prices amid the panic-buying that followed three COVID-19 confirmations.

Myanmar Counts Three New Coronavirus Cases in Naypyitaw and Yangon

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 08:27 PM PDT

The new cases include a Swiss UN worker and a tour guide in Yangon, bringing the country's total to eight cases.

This Week in Parliament

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 08:00 PM PDT

The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

Myanmar Takes On COVID-19: Is the Country Prepared?

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 07:30 PM PDT

As Myanmar ramps up efforts to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, The Irrawaddy sits down with writer and doctor Ma Thida and Yangon lawmaker Ko Nay Phone Latt.
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Friday, March 27, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Apartment Blocks Under Quarantine After Myanmar Finds Two More COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 27 Mar 2020 01:30 AM PDT

Residents in Yangon and Mandalay apartment blocks where two coronavirus patients lived have been forced to stay indoors.

Reading Myanmar—‘Miss Burma’ and the Liberal Conscience

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 08:30 PM PDT

A fictionalized account of the life of beauty queen-turned Karen rebel leader Louisa Benson has a message about the West's bad conscience for Yangon's peace industry.

Myanmar Confirms Two New COVID-19 Cases

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 07:23 PM PDT

Myanmar has confirmed two new COVID-19 cases, one in Mandalay and one in Yangon, bringing the country's total to five confirmed cases, all imported.

When Yangon’s Avenues Traded Colonial English Names for Burmese


Posted: 26 Mar 2020 06:30 PM PDT

On this day in 1989, the then-military government changed the names of 165 streets in Yangon, dropping their English colonial names in favor of Burmese language replacements.

Myanmar Medics Volunteer to Combat COVID-19 Menace

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 08:03 AM PDT

"As a health worker, we just go where we need to be," said a doctor who volunteered to go to Chin State, where one of Myanmar's first COVID-19 cases was reported.

Myanmar Army Seizes Shan State Militia Chiefs Over Drugs Bust

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 06:35 AM PDT

Militia leaders and weapons in northern Shan State have been seized by Myanmar's military in response to a huge drugs bust earlier this month.

Myanmar’s Nurses, Doctors Face Eviction as Landlords Panic Over COVID-19

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 05:54 AM PDT

Health care workers are being evicted by landlords concerned about the spread of COVID-19 but other local residents of Mandalay have opened their doors to them.

End of Aid; Beginning of Resilience?

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 03:58 AM PDT

The aid industry as we know it may be one of the many victims of the coronavirus pandemic. At minimum, globalization has taken a big hit; protectionism is back—with a vengeance.

Myanmar Orders Half of Govt Employees to Stay Home Over COVID-19

Posted: 26 Mar 2020 01:11 AM PDT

The government has told half of its employees to stay home as it ramps up efforts to combat COVID-19. The order excludes health treatment providers at government hospitals.

COVID-19: ASEAN Must Act More Boldly

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 11:25 PM PDT

ASEAN leaders must do more to coordinate their efforts to combat COVID-19 as each country's health depends on that of its neighbors.

Thailand Bans Entry to Foreigners, Prepares Emergency Measures Against Coronavirus

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 11:21 PM PDT

Thailand has closed its borders to most foreigners as the country prepares for a state of emergency that will grant the prime minister sweeping powers to combat COVID-19.

China Reports Second Consecutive Day of No New Local Coronavirus Transmissions, Imported Cases Rise

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 10:43 PM PDT

Mainland China reported no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row and Hubei Province, where the pandemic began, has started to lift restrictions.

India Struggles with Coronavirus Shutdown; Pakistan Cases Top 1,000

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 10:36 PM PDT

People in India voiced concerns about access to medicine and how they will feed their families under the lockdown that began Wednesday as COVID-19 spread across the country.

A Fierce Battle in Western Myanmar Has Killed Hundreds as the Country Braces for COVID

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 07:30 AM PDT

Since January, fighting between the Arakan Army and Myanmar's military has intensified dramatically, killing hundreds as Myanmar focuses attention on the threat of COVID-19.

With COVID-19 Confirmed Case, Myanmar’s Chin State Makes Urgent Appeal for Protective Equipment

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 06:53 AM PDT

The Chin State authorities have called for more protective equipment, saying it is poorly prepared to cope with a possible COVID-19 outbreak.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Border Gate Forced to Open as Myanmar Migrant Workers Leave Thailand Amid COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:24 AM PDT

Myawaddy on the Thai border is being flooded with returning migrants as they flee COVID-19 and factory closures.

Suu Kyi Consoles Myanmar People Amid COVID-19, Stresses Health Guidelines, Calm

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 06:07 AM PDT

The State Counselor said the country will not face food shortages but will fight the outbreak using strength of the people and urged citizens to respect quarantine rules.

Myanmar Imposes Community Quarantines After COVID-19 Patient Visit

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 05:35 AM PDT

The Chin State village that one of Myanmar's first coronavirus patients visited is now under community quarantine and travel in surrounding areas is restricted.

Myanmar Bans Beach Tours Amid COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 05:16 AM PDT

Ayeyarwady Region has stopped tours of its popular beaches and other tourist destinations to counter the coronavirus threat.

Myanmar to Quarantine Arrivals from All Countries Over COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 04:43 AM PDT

The government has ordered quarantines at government facilities for all travelers except diplomats and UN officials arriving from any country.

Myanmar Health Ministry: Both Coronavirus Patients Stable

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:16 AM PDT

Neither of Myanmar's two COVID-19 patients had serious health conditions and the public should avoid spreading misinformation, said the health ministry.

Myanmar Govt Declares Arakan Army a Terrorist Group

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:08 AM PDT

The government has said that the Arakan Army, its political wing the United League of Arakan and associated groups "constitute a danger to law and order," peace and stability.

Arakan Army Attacks Myanmar Military Training School in Rakhine

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 03:00 AM PDT

The Arakan Army has attacked a military training school on the Yangon-Sittwe road in Rakhine State, resulting in multiple casualties, according to Myanmar's military.

Laos records first two coronavirus cases: Thai media

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 02:54 AM PDT

A 28-year-old male hotel worker and a 36-year-old female tour guide are treated at a hospital.

Myanmar Universities Suspend Exams as First COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 02:15 AM PDT

Many universities in Myanmar have suspended examinations after the government announced that the country's first two COVID-19 cases have been confirmed.

Yangon Minister Quarantined After Coronavirus Contact

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 01:37 AM PDT

Yangon social affairs minister U Naing Ngan Lin is in isolation after coming into contact with a student who has tested coronavirus positive after returning from the UK.

Key Data for Myanmar & COVID-19

Posted: 24 Mar 2020 12:35 AM PDT

As Myanmar has confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19, The Irrawaddy traces key data for suspected and confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.

Myanmar reports first cases of coronavirus

Posted: 23 Mar 2020 07:36 PM PDT

A 36-year-old travelling from the United States and 26-year-old returning from Britain, both Myanmar nationals, had tested positive.
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