Curfew orders in some Arakan State townships that were imposed as COVID-19 infection rates climbed alarmingly last year have been revoked, but the order in war-affected townships remains in effect, with authorities citing security reasons.

The curfew was imposed in Thandwe, Gwa, Kyaukphyu, Manaung, Taungup, Ramree, Pauktaw and Sittwe townships on December 17 in an effort to control the pandemic.

With infection rates decreasing at the moment, the curfew order was revoked in the aforementioned townships as of February 6, said U Aung Zaw Oo, the Sittwe Township administrator.

“The COVID-19 infection rate is under control now. We have to test about 300 people who are to-be passengers for flight, but there’s been no positive result. The number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital is just one or two,” he said.

But the curfew order remains imposed in Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Myebon, Ann, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.

Colonel Min Than, the Arakan State minister for Security and Border Affairs, said: “There is no plan to revoke it [in the remaining townships] at the moment. The decision might be changed if both sides [the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army] can negotiate.”

The curfew order has been imposed in the remaining townships since April 2019, with authorities saying the measure was put in place in order to build up the administrative mechanism, and to ensure regional stability and the rule of law in the affected jurisdictions.