Chinese Border Crossings Reopened
By Network Media Group
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
After closing the Muse to Jiegao border crossing to non-Chinese nationals and those without Muse ID, Chinese officials re-opened the busy checkpoint.
Aye Myint, who lives in Ruili in China’s Yunnan province, told NMG they weren’t letting anyone cross without Muse ID but quickly revoked the measure.
“I think authorities from both countries negotiated for a solution. Chinese authorities are now allowing all Burmese to enter China at this checkpoint,” Aye Myint said.
At the time of press, it’s unclear if all types of border passes are accepted.
Thaung Tun, chairman of Muse Garuna Social Association, told NMG he’s happy the border has reopened and hopes there won’t be further disruptions in the future.
The Sinphyu checkpoint is one of the largest border crossings between China and Burma. Many workers cross every day to work in China. Merchants rely on it to buy cheap Chinese goods to sell in Mandalay and Yangon.
In Kachin State, the Chinese checkpoint Loije was also closed except to locals and recently reopened.
After the Covid-19 outbreak that started in China’s Wuhan in Hubei province quickly spread across the globe, the World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic. Nearly three billion people are under lockdown.
On Monday there are 14 confirmed cases in Myanmar. Dozens are waiting for their test results. Patients with the virus are receiving treatment in Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw and in Chin State.
A 69-year-old male that was covid-19 positive and undergoing treatment for stage-4 cancer in Australia died in Yangon’s Weibagi Specialist Hospital this Tuesday morning. He was the first confirmed death from the virus in Burma.
