(10-1-2022, Nay Pyi Taw)

The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is obliged to take effective precautionary measures in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in accord with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, with a view to preventing and controlling the outbreak of Omicron variant, an announcement on the update of testing and Quarantine Requirements for International Travellers to Myanmar (Updated as of 16-12-2021) issued by the Ministry of Health was distributed to all diplomatic and consular missions and offices for the United Nations, its specialized agencies and international organizations on 16 December 2021.

It is reported that a U.S. diplomatic passport holder, who entered Myanmar by air on 2 January 2022, was tested positive for COVID-19 on 4 January 2022 during his quarantine period at Sayar San Hotel. In addition, a staff of the U.S. Embassy, who entered Myanmar by air on 3 January 2022, was tested positive for COVID-19 on 6 January 2022 after undergoing RT-PCR test during his quarantine period at Pan Pacific Hotel. The said two U.S. nationals were transferred to the properties of the U.S. Embassy by a staff and party of the Embassy at their own will in order to take treatment by their own arrangement without any permission from the concerned authorities, although the Embassy has been duly informed the health protocols for COVID-19 detected patients issued by the Ministry of Health and to admit the patients to the designated hospitals (public and private hospitals).

As the rapid escalation of the spread of the Omicron variant has occurred across the globe, Myanmar government has been effectively undertaking to prevent and control the spread of the virus in the country by adopting rigorous precautionary restrictions measures in accordance with the WHO standards. Moreover, it is mentioned in the Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations that “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.”

The unlawful action of the said two U.S. nationals and the staff of the Embassy could adversely affect the public health of the receiving country. In addition, such action blatantly violates the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the laws and regulations of the receiving country. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this action. The Ministry, once again, calls upon those concerned to strictly adhere to precautionary restriction measures relating to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic of the country. The authorities concerned will continue to take necessary actions in due course in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 variants in the country.