COVID-19 Restrictions Eased: Resumption of commercial flights

As the COVID-19 infection/death rates has declined in most of the world countries, the COVID-19 restrictions have been eased on those who are fully vaccinated.

Myanmar also allowed the resumption of commercial flights since the 17th of April 2022 and eased the health restrictions step by step to revive the tourism sector due to the declining infection rate and high COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the country.

The Yangon International Airport took COVID tests using RT-PCR for the passengers following 24 hours waiting time system, and the results showed decreasing rate.

For further easing of health rules for commercial flight passengers, the Public Health and Health Services Departments and Airport Health Unit started using the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) at Yangon International Airport beginning May 1st on Myanmar citizens who must have RT-PCR negative test results received within 72 hours before they arrive in Myanmar, COVID-19 vaccination certificates recognized by the Ministry of Health, Health Declaration, and tourists who must have health insurance of the Myanma Insurance in addition to these documents.

Dr. Tin Thitsar Lwin, Deputy Head, Ygn Region Public Health Department said"Quarantine processes have been reduced starting 1st May 2022 and passengers who are tested with RDT showing negative results are allowed to go where they want to. In previous year, quarantine process was conducted for the passengers for 7 days to 21 days on arrival in Myanmar. Currently, the quarantine periods are shorten to 3 days for vaccinated travelers to 5 days for unvaccinated travelers with the instruction of the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Central Committee."

There were 850 passengers on eight commercial flights on May 1, and none of them was positive after their RDT tests. The commercial flight passengers to Yangon International Airport can conduct their COVID-19 tests in line with the health rules within one or two hours at a low cost, and they can make their trip in a short while. 

Soe Moe Naing, Domestic Passenger said "PCR test from oversea must be taken and need valid proof of vaccination and fill health declaration form on arrival.  We don’t need to quarantine after RDT test, showing negative results. It saves time to know results immediately. So, I’d like to thank to officials for these processes."

Aung Naing Linn, Domestic Passenger said "First, we need to test covid-19 in health center as soon as we arrive at the airport. It’s very convenient to test with RDT starting from 1st May 2022. We can come back home as soon as we get the negative results."

A total of 7,550 passengers entered the country by 92 flights between the 17th of April 2022 and the 1st of May 2022, and the government also operated relief flights for the citizens stranded in foreign countries.