Protest urges ban on tankers docking in Kyaukphyu, citing COVID-19 risk

Seven people staged a protest on March 29 calling on the government to temporarily ban crude oil tankers from stopping in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and fear of the deadly virus’s spread in Myanmar.

By Myat Swe 29 Mar 2020



Myat Swe | DMG
March 29, Kyaukphyu

Seven people staged a protest on March 29 calling on the government to temporarily ban crude oil tankers from stopping in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and fear of the deadly virus’s spread in Myanmar.

Ko Myo Lwin, who led the protest, said crude oil tankers have been going in and out of Kyaukphyu, site of a planned Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and deep-sea port, and crew on the tankers were being checked by the Department of Health. However, he said the protesters were nonetheless concerned that the tanker crews could include people infected with coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

“We demand to temporarily stop the oil tankers and foreigners coming in and out of our township during this coronavirus outbreak period,” he said.

The protesters also urged the government to urgently restore mobile internet access in Arakan and Chin states so that people in those areas can get information about coronavirus, as well as increase efforts to raise awareness about the virus among people living in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs).



On June 21, the government cut off mobile internet access in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Myebon, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships in Arakan State, where the Tatmadaw and the AA have been fighting for months, and in Chin State’s Paletwa Township.

The ban was lifted in some of the townships on September 1, only to be reimposed on February 3.

The Ministry of Health and Sports has so far confirmed 10 cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar and has urged people to avoid crowds and wash their hands regularly to mitigate the risk of contracting the virus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 29 that Myanmar would temporarily stop issuing all types of visas, including social visit visas, to foreign nationals from all countries, except for diplomats accredited to Myanmar, United Nations officials resident in Myanmar and the crew of ships and aircraft operating to and from Myanmar. The ban came into effect from March 29 and will run until April 30 in an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19.