Parents in southern Burma are worried about their children attending school as the country struggles with its 'third wave'.

“They ordered restaurants and tea shops to close for dining, yet they haven't closed the schools. We are concerned about our children and want the authorities to temporarily stop school,” a 40-year-old mother from Myeik told NMG.

Township officials used a megaphone to warn residents about an outbreak in the seaside town on July 4.

The next day, the COVID-19 Control and Response Committee for Taninthari Region ordered all restaurants and tea shops in Dawei, Myeik and Kawthaung to restrict services to takeout amid the rising cases.

Authorities also banned religious and cultural ceremonies and performances in Taninthari Region, and ordered karaoke bars and non-nonessential shops to close.

There are 144 schools in Myeik Township, according to Kyaw Shein, the director of the education department for the township.

Only 40-percent of the student population in the township have returned to classes since the coup.

In Taninthari Region, authorities did not open nearly 400 schools out of 1,500 learning institutions because approximately 7,000 teachers refused to return to work until the restoration of the democratic government.

According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, which is now controlled by the military regime, 84 tested positive in Taninthari Region between June 28 to July 2.