Authorities planned to set up a Community Based Quarantine Facilities (CBQF) in Pa-Nga village in Thanbyuzayat Township. Myanmar returnees from many regions, who have worked outside the country will need to stay for 21 days at the facility as part of the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Pa Nga villagers are concerned their village may also face a lock-down if the COVID-19 virus is found amongst any of the returnees.
“In other quarantine facilities, we did not have any problems because there were just our villagers. Now, this camp will accommodate people from different areas, and it is a concern to local people who are uncomfortable with strangers. If any of those people test positive for COIVD-19, local people are concerned that our village may come under a lock-down order,” said Min Ah-Htoo from the Charity Team, on April 21.
The Township General Administration Department informed the Pa Nga Village Administrator and elders in the community that five quarantine camps are planned to accommodate 400 returnees. These are being established in different places, including two camps in Thanbyuzayat Town, one in Kyeikkami, one in Kyone Ka-Dat and another in the Pa Nga village government high school.
Under this plan, returnees from Thailand will not be able to go directly to their homes or villages. They must first stay in these quarantine camps for at least 21 days without showing signs of the C-19 infection. COVID-19 symptoms can include fatigue, fever, chills, headache, body/joint aches, or a dry cough.
Only after the quarantine period has been completed to the satisfaction of the health authorities, will returnees be permitted to return to their home communities. These measures are necessary to contain the spread of the virus.
Kyone Ka-Dat villager, Ko Min Htaw said, “we are concerned that our village will be under lock-down. However, the people in the village are united and will follow our elders.”
According to a news report, both the Thai and Myanmar governments have urged returning Myanmar migrant workers to plan their return home for the end of April or later and not before.
Mon State Chief Minister, Dr. Aye Zan told the media on April 18, arrangements for community based quarantine camps will accommodate more than 10,000 returnees from Thailand who are expected after April 30th.
Update: the CBQF, planned to install at Pa-Nga Village, is instead set up at KaRotPi village.
