Myanmar labourers experience uncertain times amid Covid-19 outbreak
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot district, Tak province, was crowded with Myanmar labourers before dawn on Wednesday (March 18) while officials took their temperature and gave them hand sanitisers to lower the risk of Covid-19.
Some 1,000 labourers decided to return to their homeland via the Thai-Myanmar border in Myawaddy province, Myanmar, and some labourers chose to look for jobs in Thailand despite the pandemic.
Most Burmese people were afraid of Covid-19 and wanted to remain in their country until the situation improved.
Several businesses in Thailand have closed operations and the visas of the labourers was due to expire soon, which was one of the reasons for their return.
Myanmar health officials said that screening on the border was very strict and those who travelled to the country with high risks of the new coronavirus infection would be quarantined for 14 days.
