17 Sep

With regard to travelling, as soon as positive cases were reported in Rakhine State and many cases were found in Sittway, travel restriction from this state to other areas was imposed. Although our people in Rakhine State wanted to go outside as usual, we did not pander to their wishes and persuaded them not to do so. This was not because of hatred towards them, but to prevent the spread of this disease to the other areas of the country. If the whole country had to suffer from this pandemic, we would not be able to focus on Rakhine State. This was the reason for imposing restrictions on the places with many cases. This disease is spreading in Yangon with a faster pace in comparing with that of other areas. So, we have to impose restrictions in Yangon. Don’t go outside of Yangon unnecessarily. Authorities from other areas will conduct medical tests to those who come from the Yangon Region, and the visitors will have to stay under quarantine.

(Excerpt from State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Report to People regarding need for strict compliance with regulations, instructions, directives issued for containment of COVID-19, on 10 September 2020)