Total number of COVID-19 cases reaches 117 on Monday
The National Health Laboratory (Yangon) released the test results of the first batch of 181 lab specimens on 20-4-020 where 6 tested positive for COVID-19 and 175 tested negative.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
World Bank to lend $50M to help Myanmar fight coronavirus
The World Bank said Monday it has approved $50 million in emergency financing to help Myanmar improve its hospital system to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
— Mynorthwest
Myanmar economy still forecast to grow despite global recession: IMF
Myanmar is among just 10 percent of the globe projected by the International Monetary Fund to post economic growth this year. The rest of the world is expected to slip into recession.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar: Nearly 25,000 Prisoners Freed Amid COVID-19 fears
Myanmar has begun releasing thousands of prisoners including political prisoners across the country in an amnesty to mark the traditional Burmese New Year.
— Eurasiareview
Myanmar court sentences three to jail for quarantine rules violations
A local court in Myanmar, on April 20, sentenced to six months imprisonment three people for violating the health ministry’s quarantine regulations, an Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) lawmaker said.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar-Thailand border drops $2.32 million this financial year
Myanmar-Thailand border trade has dropped by $24.27 million and stands at US$2.13 billion between 1 October and 3 April in this fiscal 2019-2020, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.
— BNI Online
Myanmar Says Factories Must Take COVID-19 Precautions Before They Reopen
The Myanmar government has ordered all factories to suspend operations and says they may only reopen if they show they have taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— Irrawaddy
MEODA initiates online service for cooking oil export, import licence during Covid-19 crisis
Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers’ Association (MEODA) will provide online service while seeking the association’s approval to apply for export and import licence during the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Military, Govt and Private Medics Staff Makeshift COVID-19 Hospital in Myanmar

Medical teams from the military, the Ministry of Health and private hospitals have arrived at Yangon’s new makeshift COVID-19 treatment center in Hlegu Township.
— Irrawaddy
Ministry of Health and Sports speeds up COVID-19 processes
Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe held a video conference with state/regional authorities concerning COVID-19 on 18 April.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Covid-19 delays trade flow to India despite adequate supplies of mung bean
By Nyein Nyein Myanmar assures adequate supplies of mung bean for India’s market, yet the Covid-19 consequences slow the trade flow, Secretary U Min Ko Oo of Myanmar Pulses, Beans and Sesame Seeds Merchant Association (MPBSSMA) told the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) on 20 April.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Thousands of Myanmar Migrant Workers Return from China into Quarantine
Almost 4,000 Myanmar migrant workers crossed through border gates in Kachin State and were transferred to quarantine centers.
— Irrawaddy
Myanmar Presidential Pardon Condemned for Exclusion of Political Prisoners
Myanmar’s president, U Win Myint, has caused outrage by pardoning 25,000 inmates but leaving 58 political prisoners behind bars, despite the threat of COVID-19.
— Irrawaddy
Myanmar ships 800 freed Rohingya prisoners back to Rakhine
Myanmar shipped hundreds of recently released Rohingya inmates back to the country’s restive western borderlands on Monday, after fears that its overcrowded prisons could become hotbeds for runaway coronavirus outbreaks.
— CNA
State Counsellor discusses ground situation with Covid-19 fighters from Ayeyawady Region
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi holds the video conference with personnel working to prevent, control and treat Coronavirus disease in Ayeyawady Region.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
In Myanmar, Tatmadaw and Arakan Army Caught in Thucydides’ Trap
The grim struggle between the Myanmar military and the AA follows an ancient pattern as old as human conflict, and civilians are paying the price.
— Irrawaddy
Undaunted by COVID-19 and bordr controls, Malaysian mums in Singapore send around 3,000kg of breast milk to babies back home
It has been a month since Christina Lye, 28, saw her three-month-old baby.
— CNA
SWRR ministry provides soap, masks to IDP camps
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is cooperating with relevant departments and organizations to prevent, contain and respond to the spread of COVID-19 in IDP camps.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Myanmar goods continue to do brisk business
Moreh, April 19 2020: Even as the Indo-Myanmar border was sealed completely to curb border trade amidst the coronavirus outbreak, most shops in the border town and other parts of the State are ‘still selling items’ of Myanmar origin discretely at steeper prices.
— e-pao
Myanmar: COVID-19 – Situation Report No. 02 (20 April 2020)
This report is produced by OCHA Myanmar in collaboration with Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and wider humanitarian partners. The next report will be issued on or around 28 April 2020.
— Reliefweb
Myanmar: factory fates hang in the balance
Authorities in Myanmar have warned that factories will have to shut down later this month if they’re unable to reach agreements with workers about the conditions they’d be asked to operate in upon their return, amidst escalating fears surrounding the coronavirus.
— Ecotextile
Escape from Myanmar: Navigating the world in the age of the coronavirus
I had planned to spend just a few days in Myanmar, but just as I completed my work, international travel became increasingly difficult by the day.
— JPost
More than the Coronavirus, people in Chin fear bombs
Defenceless civilians, including women and children, are victims of the ongoing fighting between the Myanmar military and Buddhist rebels from the state of Rakhine. Hospitals have had to treat the wounded rather than contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Asia News
Myanmar to receive Swiss-made COVID-19 test machine, expand testing capability this month
AA Medical Products, Myanmar’s largest pharmaceutical distributer, is donating a Cobas 6800 M PCR medical analyser machine to the National COVID-19 Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease.
— Myanmar Times
Thousands of Myanmar Migrant Workers Return from China into Quarantine
Nearly 4,000 Myanmar migrant workers who were working in China have flooded into border checkpoints in Kachin State since last Thursday, where they were transferred to government facilities across the state for 21-day quarantines.
— Irrawaddy
Myanmar Presidential Pardon Condemned for Exclusion of Political Prisoners
More than 50 political prisoners, including satirical performers and pro-democracy activists who were jailed for criticizing the military, missed out in Myanmar’s largest mass pardon in recent years.
— Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s Shan State Imposes COVID-19 Curfew
After a doctor fell sick with coronavirus, 48 Shan State townships face a curfew to stop the spread of the virus.
— Irrawaddy
All ministries, their agencies, departments and offices shall further encourage all personnel to participate in and support anti-hate speech activities
Republic of the Union of Myanmar Office of the President Directive No. 3/2020 13th Waning of Tagu, 1382 ME (20 April 2020) Prevention of incitement to hatred and violence (or) Prevention of proliferation of hate speech.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Disaster management committee to expand measures against COVID-19
The National Disaster Management Work Committee discussed prevention, containment and response plans for COVID-19 in their preparations for original activities in the upcoming monsoon season.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
UN vehicle carrying swabs from COVID-19 suspects attacked by ULA/AA group in Rakhine, two injured
A WHO vehicle carrying swabs from the patients receiving for COVID-19 quarantine in townships in Rakhine State for test in Yangon’s national laboratory came under attack on Monday in Minbya Township, Rakhine State, leaving two staff injured.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
After Deadly Shelling, Villagers Arrested in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
The military has arrested the remaining residents of a Rakhine State village that was struck by deadly shelling last week on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army.
— Irrawaddy
Korea’s Posco sends virus test kits to Myanmar
Posco International has sent 100 virus test kits that can run 10,000 tests to Myanmar, as part of its relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Korea Herald.
— Mizzima
41 Myanmar men fined for flouting MCO
FORTY-ONE Myanmar men who breached the movement-control order by participating in a water festival in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi were today fined RM1,000 each by the Sepang magistrates’ court.
— The Malaysian Insight
Myanmar’s top monk donates to pope’s Covid-19 fund
A prominent monk from Myanmar, Ashin Nyanissara known as Sitagu Sayadaw, has made donations to the coronavirus emergency fund set up by Pope Francis.
— Herald malaysia
Church leaders in Myanmar call for unity in Covid-19 battle
Amid a surge in religious bigotry on social media following the activities of a controversial pastor, Christian leaders in Myanmar have appealed to people to work together to fight Covid-19 in unity and love.
— UCA News
Water festival: 41 Myanmar citizens fined RM1,000 for defying MCO
Forty-one Myanmar citizens who defied the Movement Control Order (MCO) by participating in a water festival in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi recently were fined RM1,000 each by the magistrate’s court, here today.
— The Sun Daily
Four political detainees among hundreds released from Sittwe Prison in presidential pardon
A total of 343 inmates of Sittwe Prison, including four political prisoners, were released on April 17 in a mass presidential pardon coinciding with the Thingyan holiday.
— BNI Online
UPDATE: Factories in Myanmar to close for mandatory inspections for COVID-19
All Myanmar factories will need close from April 20 to 30 for inspections by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, Ministry of Health and Sports and other relevant groups. They will be allowed reopen after passing inspections for COVID-19 purposes, said U Myo Aung, permanent secretary of the labour ministry.
— Myanmar Times
Feature photo Yangon Technological University Students’ Union – YTUSU
This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on World Creativity and Innovation Day, April 21
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
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About Myanmar morning news.
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Governance, not government; policies not politics.
She commenced as an intern at AEC News Today and was appointed as a junior writer/ trainee journalist on April 2, 2018
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