Myanmar morning news for May 4, 2020

COVID-19 cases rise to 155 in Myanmar
The total number of COVID-19 infections in Myanmar has risen to 155, with four more confirmed cases reported on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.
— Xinhua

Myanmar Stops Building of Emergency Camps For War Displaced in Rakhine State
Officials in Myanmar’s strife-ridden Rakhine state have ordered local humanitarian relief groups to stop building makeshift camps for people displaced by armed conflict in Rathedaung town as the annual monsoon season approaches, a local lawmaker said Friday.
— Radio Free Asia

845 out of 3,326 factories permitted to reopen as they meet health norms
Authorities inspected 3,326 factories across Myanmar including 2,602 in Yangon Region whether they met the criteria set by the Ministry of Health and Sports, and 845 of them could reopen immediately as they received level A, said Zaw Htay, spokesperson of the President Office.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar rice traders anticipate losses despite higher imports allowed from China
More than 5,000 tonnes of rice – around 100,000 sacks – have piled up at the Myanmar-China border over the past month, when the Chinese authorities temporarily suspended imports without certificates from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ), said U Min Thein, vice chair of Muse 105-mile Rice Wholesale Center.
— Myanmar times

Govt eases internet blackout in Rakhine
The government on May 3 permitted access to the internet in Maungdaw township, Rakhine State, after almost a year, U Zaw Zaw Tun, secretary of Rakhine Ethnic Congress (REC) confirmed.
— Myanmar times

Myanmar’s ethnic conflicts obstruct COVID-19 aid to minorities
Myanmar’s numerous unresolved ethnic insurgencies have made a cohesive national response to the global COVID-19 pandemic virtually impossible.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Why media freedom in Myanmar matters to business
Businesses in Myanmar often view journalists with suspicion but the business community can support journalists and media organisations in a number of mutually beneficial ways.
— Frontier Myanmar

UN aid reaches strife-torn Myanmar town
Emergency food from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reached strife-torn Paletwa township in Chin State, whose residents have faced a food shortage since January due to fighting between government forces and the Arakan Army (AA).
— Myanmar times

Yangon real estate transactions decline
The real estate sector in Yangon saw a sharp decline in transactions at the beginning of April due to the COVID-19-related restrictions, a Yangon-based realtor said.
— Myanmar times

Local garment factory produces surgical gowns to cope with demands from Myanmar’s hospitals
A worker makes surgical gowns at a garment factory in Yangon, Myanmar, May 2, 2020.
— Xinhua

Four more new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, total cases reach 155
The National Health Laboratory (Yangon) issued a report on 3-5-2020 evening on 63 lab specimens by NHL and 60 lab specimens from Department of Medical Research.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Migrants see lives upended by downturn
The Covid 19 crisis has dealt a devastating blow to migrant workers who don’t qualify for the government’s financial aid package and have been deprived of the social security benefits they are normally entitled to.
— Bangkok Post

Myanmar gov’t brings back 195 citizens from Japan amid COVID-19
A total of 195 Myanmar citizens have been brought back home yesterday amid the spread of COVID-19.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Public should take dengue precautions during COVID-19, ahead of flu season: health department
Mandalay Region is on high alert for an outbreak of dengue fever on top of COVID-19, according to Dr Tint Wai from the regional health department.
— Myanmar times

54 Myanmar migrant workers return from Thailand
A total of 54 Myanmar migrant workers from Thailand returned through the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge (2) yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

ARSA terrorists ambush border guard forces at Myanmar-Bangladesh border
Border guard forces patrolling along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border to provide regional stability, to prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking, were attacked by ARSA terrorists positioning in Bangladesh side yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

As global spotlight fades, atrocities continue in Myanmar
While the world is preoccupied with the new coronavirus, attacks on Rohingya minority go on in Rakhine state, a UN expert says. Recent attacks by the Myanmar military apparently echo the brutality that shocked the world in 2017.
— The Star Online

State Counsellor writes in honour of her father and Myanmar language teacher from Rangoon University
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote in honour of her father and a Myanmar language teacher from Rangoon University.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Rohingya crisis deserves notice
Day by day, the effects of coronavirus on society’s most marginalised are laid bare. From dollar-a-day Afghan day labourers forced to pick between face masks and food to Thais driven to suicide after failing to secure baby milk, the price of contagion is pushing many of those on society’s margins off the edge.
— Bangkok Post

Union Construction Minister inspects upgrading of Yangon-Pathein road via video meeting
Union Minister U Han Zaw holds the video conference on the Yangon-Pathein road projects and preparedness for natural disasters yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar govt warns of potential storm in Bay of Bengal
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on May 2 informed the public that a low pressure area that has been forming in the southeast of the Bay of Bengal could develop into a depression within four days.
— Myanmar Times

COVID-19 actions continue at IDP camps in Kachin, Shan states
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is cooperating with relevant departments and organizations to prevent, control and treat COVID-19 in IDP camps across the nation.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

U Zaw Htay, Director-General of State Counseller’s Office, holds virtual press conference over current situations of Myanmar
Director-General U Zaw Htay holding the virtual press conference on current situations of the country.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

4 Fintech Startups in Myanmar to Watch
When it comes to fintech, Myanmar has a lot of catching up to do. With a little over a dozen companies compared to about 150 in Vietnam, and over 490 in Singapore, the Burmese fintech sector still trails far behind the rest of Asia.
— Fintech News

Myanmar conceals facts about COVID-19 cases in their country Indian Border States need to be alerted
Indian Border States with Myanmar – Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram need to strengthen sealing of Indo-Myanmar border as data of COVID-19 cases in the neighbouring country seems to be concealing the fact.
— e-pao

IOM Myanmar COVID-19 Response Situation Report 3
2,500 migrant per day to be allowed to return through the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border gate.
— Reliefweb

No new COVID-19 cases for second day, six more recoveries reported
Myanmar reported no additional COVID-19 cases as at 8pm on May 2, marking the second day the country has maintained its case count at 151, according to the health ministry.
— Myanmar times

Hospital equipment worth K2.6 mln donated to Minbu district hospital
Myanmar Pulses, Beans & Sesame Merchants Association and Paing Family International Co. Ltd donated hospital equipment worth K2.6 million to Minbu district general hospital in Magway Region in order to prevent, control and treat the coronavirus disease.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Health and Sports Union Minister discusses preparation for accepting returnees from Thailand, China with regional COVID-19 frontline fighters
Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe held a video conference with frontline health workers and officials from Kayin State, Mon State and Taninthayi Region, discussing measures for accepting returnees from Thailand and China and for prevention and containment of the COVID-19 disease.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Fourth-Year performances of the General Administration Department
During the fourth year period, the GAD has systematically expanded and formed one district, five towns, 39 wards, 6 village tracks, and 31 villages.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

No Permanent Friends or Foes; Only Permanent Interests
A country’s rise in the international system is supported as well as constrained by factors in its regional environment.
— Indrastra

KU set to provide relief to Konyak people in Myanmar
The Konyak Union (KU) is setting up relief stock of essential commodities for distribution to Konyak people in Myanmar.
— Morung Express

Rohingya People’s Lives At Risk At Sea
Several fishing trawlers carrying hundreds of women, men and children – believed to be Rohingya – are currently stranded at sea, after being pushed away by governments invoking COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions to deny them permission to disembark.
— Asian Tribune

Online capacity building classes coming for volunteers
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye held a video conference with the national leading body on volunteers for training volunteers who will be assisting in the quarantine facilities.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Factories to reopen in Pathein after due inspection
Ayeyawady Region government gave greenlights nine factories in Pathein Town to resume their operations after the inspection team conducted the mandatory inspection in line with health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS), according to the regional government’s notice released on 1 May.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

COVID-19 response team inspects MRTV in Nay Pyi Taw
Nay Pyi Taw Council member U Nyi Tun, accompanied by Tatkon Township’s Pyithu Hluttaw Representative U Kyaw Tint, led the COVID-19 response team to inspect Myanma Radio and Television yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Notification on COVID-19 prevention in IDP camps
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is implementing action plans to prevent, contain and treat COVID-19 in IDP camps across the nation.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

On World Press Freedom Day, a Nod to the Role of Journalists in a Time of Crisis
Marking World Press Freedom Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to acknowledge the role of the media in subjecting decision-makers to scrutiny.
— Irrawaddy

Low pressure area warning issued for preparatory measures
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has informed to public about a warning of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology from its observation on a lower pressure area over the South Andaman Sea and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal still persists at 18:30 hrs M.S.T yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Kyunchaung gas power plant project to be completed soon
The 20.54MW gas power plant project in Kyunchaung is going to be finished soon. As the current running gas turbine has been used for many years, its capacity reduces to only 4MW, said U Myo Thiha, chief engineer of Kyunchaung power plant.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after weeks at sea
Dozens of Rohingya refugees stranded at sea for weeks have been relocated to a controversial flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh officials said on Sunday (May 3).
— CNA

Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population Statement on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerning factories and businesses
12th Waxing of Kasone, 1382 ME (3 May 2020) 1. To prevent the spread of the global pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health and Sports issued directives and guidelines for factories and businesses to open during the spread of the virus.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

People should continue following health guidelines on COVID as Myanmar is not out of the woods yet
”Don’t let your guard down just because COVID has been quiet for one or two days: State Counsellor” State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that we should not let our guard down just because COVID has been quiet for one or two days and that the situation when.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo BANITAtour
This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on Vesak Day, May 7.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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About Myanmar morning news.

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