Officials in a Myanmar state and region have reversed earlier decisions to impose controversial two-week lockdowns to prevent the spread of the contagious coronavirus and are now allowing residents to leave their homes for essential services, RFA reported.

The moves came a day before the Health Ministry announced that two more people had died from the virus, raising the total number of fatalities to three, though the number of confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday held at 22.

The Sagaing regional government in northern Myanmar previously said the lockdown would take effect April 7 and run until April 21 Residents were ordered to remain at home and only go out to buy food or receive medical care. Those who had to travel to other states or regions during emergency situations were instructed to first obtain permission from the regional government.