Myanmar’s ministry of health and sports has allowed garment factories in Yangon to reopen amid fears of a loss in foreign investment although the spread of COVID-19 is not under control.

Initially, the health ministry ordered all garment factories in Yangon to cease operations from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7 but then extended the closures until Oct. 21 as COVID-19 cases rose.

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in a televised speech on 12th October that the authorities are working to allow the resumption of factory operations for the long-term health of the country’s economy. The loss of investments will damage our economy and the livelihood of our workers in the long term.

About 400 Yangon factories, including drinking water suppliers and cold storages, were allowed to resume operations on 13th October after passing tests for COVID-19 preventative measures according to the ministry of immigration and human resources.

The health ministry said the factories must meet COVID-19 preventative guidelines if they want to reopen. All factories are instructed to set up temperature checks and to turn away any workers with a fever. They must arrange enough supplies for workers to wash their hands and arrange physical distancing to avoid crowding.

Source: The Irrawaddy