Myanmar’s military announced on Saturday that international passenger flights will return on April 17, ending a two-year ban on foreign tourists. In an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Southeast Asian nation closed its borders to tourists in March 2020.
Myanmar was further isolated following a coup last year, which resulted in massive riots and a brutal military assault on dissent, driving the country’s economy, especially the tourism industry, into freefall.
“All international flights will reopen on April 17th, and we will be able to fly as usual,” declared the National Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease Prevention, Control, and Treatment, noting a drop in COVID-19 cases.
The decision was made “in order to develop the tourist business sector and to provide a smooth trip for visitors that come to Myanmar,” according to a statement. According to the Health Ministry, visitors will be required to quarantine for a week, undergo two PCR tests, and be properly vaccinated.
Myanmar’s Tourism deteriorated after the Pandemic
The pandemic wreaked havoc on Myanmar’s tourism industry, with the government registering 40,000 daily COVID-19 infections at its peak last year. In total, it has reported about 20,000 deaths. Following the junta’s takeover, the country’s economy has suffered as a result of spiraling violence, with many international companies pulling out.
According to a local monitoring group, security forces have killed over 1,600 people and imprisoned over 11,000 since the coup. Late last year, the junta announced that it would reopen to international visitors in 2022, intending to capitalize on a plethora of local traditional festivities.