26 April

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote this on her Facebook page yesterday: It is possible for us to renew our strength because we have programmes and people in place to implement what is needed step by step.

The news that an employee of a factory in the Hlinethaya Industrial Zone has tested positive with the COVID-19 disease has caused anxieties. At a time like this I would like to explain a little what has to be done by the public service personnel from the health and administrative sectors and volunteers participating in our battle against COVID-19.

Firstly, they have to give treatment to the patient. Then the patient has to be rushed to the nearest suitable hospital as quickly as possible.

Secondly, the authorities have to identify and contact all those who have had close with the patient. The patient himself has to give a list of people who had been in contact with him during the period of possible infection to the best of his memory. For this list to be more complete, online measures have to be taken to encourage those who have had close contacts with the patient to contact the authorities on their own.

Thirdly, we have to track down all those who have had close contact with the patient, and quarantine them. Then we have to monitor and test them.

Because we have programmes to implement step by step, and people to implement these programmes leaving aside anxieties and exhaustive work pressures, we can renew our strength.

“Samsara is a rough and rugged road. Let’s continue this journey, each one of us shouldering duties.” (Translated by Kyaw Myaing)