1,741 Myanmar workers re-enter from Thailand via Friendship Bridge No (2) in two days

Under bilateral cooperation, 1,741 Myanmar workers have reentered the country over the past two days through Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge No (2) during the Covid-19 emergency period. 

Of the total, 603 returned on May 23 and 1,128 on May 24. Of them, 552 returned under the arrangement of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand and 1,189 under their own arrangement. 

Those who returned under their own arrangements complained about overcharges of transport and temporary detention on the route.

The Thai government extended the Covid-19 emergency period until June 30 restricting travel. But with the bilateral agreement between the two governments, returnees were transported back under the arrangement of the Myanmar embassy starting from May 23. 

The Myanmar workers said they returned for several reasons such as factories closures and difficult living conditions caused by no income. 

All the returnees will be placed at the BCF zone on Myawady border for Covid-19 tests. They will be sent back to their native places after 21 days of quarantine at respective centers. 

Nearly 40,000 Myanmar workers have proposed the Myanmar embassy to return. 

Authorities are preparing more quarantine centers to accept 2,500 returnees a day.