Aftering being closed to curb the spread of COVID-19, restaurants will be allowed to reopen Friday throughout much of Myanmar.
Townships not currently covered by “stay-at-home” orders – which excludes most of Yangon – can resume business Friday, according to the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19. The announcement affects restaurants in the Naypyidaw region and more than 8,000 restaurants in other states and divisions.
“COVID-19 has been around for a long time. Restaurants have been closed for awhile, and if they continue to stay closed, their business will get worse,” Than Naing Soe, director of the Health Awareness Division, told reporters today. “Therefore, the committee decided to allow the reopenings in accordance with COVID-19 regulations. They will have to abide by the COVID-19 rules and the authorities will carry out spot checks.”
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Those restaurants allowed to reopen have to be A-rated in accordance with health regulations, he added.
There will also be strict monitoring of compliance with health ministry directives at the venues, including tea shops, and sanctions will be imposed for non-compliance. According to the ministry, A-level restaurants are the first that can open, with the remaining restaurants to be approved after inspection.
Reached for comment, Aung Si Thu, bar manager at the Thuka Soe Grill & Restaurant in Naypyidaw told Coconuts he expects to get a visit soon.
“Now the letter is only published at the national level. There are still inspections at the division state,” Aung Si Thu said. “We’ve been told to prepare for the spot check and it will be within this week.”
In Yangon, negotiations are underway with the Myanmar Restaurant Association and the regional government to allow restaurants to reopen in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.
