Gov’t Prepares For Return Of Thousands Of Workers From China
By Network Media Group
Friday, April 17, 2020
The Kachin State government said more than 10,000 migrant workers will be quarantined in their villages after they return home from China.
“Returnees will be sent directly to their native towns,” said Ne Win, the Kachin State social minister. They will be quarantined in designated buildings in their villages for 21 days, and then spend another 7 days quarantined in their homes, the minister told NMG.
Out of state returnees will be quarantined for 21 days in designated buildings near the border. After authorities from the state or region where they’re originally from will send them back to their villages.
Ma Aye Aye Maw, who is from Hopin, wanted to return home after the novel coronavirus outbreak started in China. She ended her contract on a sugarcane farm early to be close to her family but she’s concerned after COVID-19 infections have been confirmed in Burma. “If something goes wrong, we want to be with my family. We will be strong if our family is staying with us,” Ma Aye Aye Maw said.
Than Win, a general administration development officer for Myitkyina township, told NMG the Burmese government is cooperating with the Chinese government during the return of the migrant workers.
The government expects as many 18,000 will be coming home soon. Many are originally from central Burma, Bhamo and Myitkyina districts, Than Win said. Six quarantine centres, expected to house 1,000 returnees, are being set up in schools and training centres in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
