Plan To Reopen: Preparations Are Underway To Reopen Shwedagon Pagoda

Aiming to visit and pay homage Shwedagon pagoda to the pilgrims, the Pagoda Board of Trustees is making arrangements for reopening.

Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in the world and land mark of Myanmar and also it is the main attraction of Yangon.

Shwedagon Pagoda has been temporarily closed since 10th April this year in order to prevent against COVID-19 disease.

The Pagoda Board of Trustees is arranging to reopen Shwedagon pagoda soon in line with the instructions of the National-level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health and Sports and Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture. 

The Pagoda Board of Trustees said they will announce the exact date for reopening the pagoda after getting permission from the National Level Central Committee.

Member, Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, Than Zaw said “We are now preparing for reopening of the Pagoda to public but the exact date has not been set yet now. We have already submitted the draft proposal for pagoda reopening to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and then it will proceed to the National Level Central Committee. After getting approval, we will start plan to reopen. We prioritize on the safety of the pilgrims and visitors. So, we are preparing online registration QR code system. We are considering into two parts, online registration system and work in register form for computerizing.”

The pagoda board of trustees is preparing for computerizing, temperature screening, installing hand wash basins, making social distancing and wearing masks for the visitors at the entrance gates of the pagoda to prevent COVID-19.

Member, Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, Than Zaw said “We will announce online registration form on the pagoda website and facebook page. We are considering the pilgrim numbers, opening date and times. During the temporary closure period, the Pagoda Board of Trustees is carrying out renovation of Buddha images and stupas and maintenance of the religious buildings and stairways.”

Before COVID-19 period, the pagoda is always crowed with local and foreign visitors and the local pilgrims were 30,000 to 90,000 daily and the numbers of foreign visitors were 2000 to 4000.