COVID-19: Myanmar temporarily suspends entry visas

By Kyaw Ye Lynn

YANGON, Myanmar (AA) - Myanmar will temporarily suspend entry visas beginning Sunday in efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The foreign ministry said late Saturday it will not issue the visas except to diplomats, UN officials and crews of ships and aircraft operating to and from Myanmar.

The measure will be in effect until the end of April.

The first cases of the virus known as COVID-19 were reported March 23, making Myanmar one of the last nations to declare the presence of the virus,

Myanmar began banning foreign nationals entering through land border gates since the first cases were reported Monday.

Tens of thousands of migrant workers from neighboring countries, however, continue to arrive.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, in December, the virus has spread to at least 177 countries and territories, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Data shows more than 662,000 cases have been reported worldwide with the death toll above 30,600 and nearly 140,000 recoveries.