Narinjara News, 15 February 2022

All passengers travelling in domestic flights across Myanmar are directed to check their Covid-19 status48 hours prior to boarding.

A health ministry order on 13 February also added that the passengers have alsobeen asked to show their corona-vaccination certificates.

An official from the Sittwe-based Star Wave ticket officeinformed Narinjara News that theorder became effective from 15 February andthe airline was notified in advance.

The passengers have the opportunity to visit free health check-ups in government run laboratories, clinicsand even private hospitals, added thedepartmental order. All corona-related tests will be performed at the laboratories and clinics, itstated.

Ko Zaw Hlaing Tun from Rakhine Covid-19 Watch told Narinjara News that the announcement was made due to therise in numbers of Covid-19 patientswith the new variant in many parts of Myanmar.

Various Rakhine localities like Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Maungdaw,  Thandwe, Myebon etc witness  the increaseof corona-infected persons in the firsthalf of February.

According to the Rakhine Covid-19 control and emergency response committee, State capital city of Sittwehas reported the highest infectionrate as it recorded 15 cases within 1 to 13 February.

By 13 February, the country as a whole recorded a total of 546,771 confirmed corona-cases whereas 19,310persons had already succumbed to thevirus infection.