Arakan State has reported zero new Covid-19 cases since late September, according to the state’s health department.

“The daily infection rate is zero. There has been no Covid-19 case since September 29. Seven cases were reported on September 28, and there have been no new cases since then,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, deputy director of the Arakan State Health Department.

Nationwide, the Covid-19 infection rate has also declined to negligible levels, according to a November 29 report from the junta’s Ministry of Health.“The Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted serious impacts on various aspects of our life,” Kyaukphyu resident U Myint Thu Aung told DMG. “So, we want the pandemic to end as early as possible. Learning about the news of declining cases, we feel like we are free now.”

The Ministry of Health said it would relax Covid-19 rules and regulations for travellers on commercial flights both domestic and international.

Covid-19 tests are still required for air travellers and new inmates in Arakan State, as well as for those engaged in border trade upon their return from Bangladesh. It is not yet clear when local Covid-19 regulations will be relaxed or waived, according to the Arakan State Health Department.

“We don’t carry out Covid-19 antigen tests on those who travel by road or sea,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung. “We still carry out public awareness campaigns about Covid-19. As for air travellers, they have to undergo a Covid-19 test one day prior to their trip if they can show a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.”

Since the first Covid-19 outbreak in Arakan in October 2020, the state has reported 10,090 cases and 530 fatalities, according to the Arakan State Health Department.