COVID-19 Precautions: Preventive Measures Conducted At The Shwedagon Pagoda

Myanmar has found three confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 25th March. The response measures are now speeding up to prevent the disease across Myanmar and in Yangon, precautionary measures against the disease led by Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees have been undertaken to be safe for the visitors and pilgrims.

Head of Office, Shwedagon Pagoda, Ye Aung Naing said “We make awareness posters on COVID-19 for the pilgrims and visitors. The temperature screenings are conducted to both locals and foreign visitors.  We have 30 thermal screening equipments. We also request the pilgrims to pay homage to the pagoda at 3-ft distance from each other.”

According to an official of Shwedagon Pagoda, they have suspended novitiation procession, religious verse reciting with crowd and opening mediation camps in the pagoda compound during Thingyan period to prevent from the virus.

Chairman, Thitsa Mandaing Setana Shin Association  (Shwedagon Pagoda), Kyaw Lwin said “We have discussed COVID awareness programs together with the Financial Management Committee of Shwedagon Pagoda and the Chairmen and secretaries of various Religious Organizations. It is the global pandemic and so, we change the form of offering alms to monks and the monks do not conduct in procession in accepting the offering food.”  

Officials from Yangon Region Health Department conducted health awareness for the visitors and pilgrims at the four corners of the Pagoda platform.

Deputy Head, Yangon Region Health Department, Dr. Myo Thant said “We conduct raising awareness on COVID-19 at the pagoda.  We’d like to request people not to make gathering not only at the pagodas but also in the shopping centers. If there is an infectious person, the virus can be spread to others. The Health Department is speeding up preventive measure on temperature screening, putting hand gels and distribution of educative pamphlets for public awareness.”

The Shwedagon Pagoda reduced its opening hours as part of precautionary measures against the Covid-19 and the pagoda has been opened from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily starting from 25 March.