March 15, 2021
THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN RANGOON IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE AMERICAN LIAISON NETWORK AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN BURMA. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.
On the evening of March 14, 2021, in Hlaing Thar Yar Township and elsewhere in Yangon, security forces used live rounds and other means of force to disperse protestors resulting in multiple deaths. Reports indicate that the military regime has enacted martial law in Yangon in the following townships: Hlaing Thar Yar, North Dagon, South Dagon, Shwe Pyi Thar, Dagon Seikkan, and North Okkalapa. In Mandalay, martial law has been enacted in the following townships: Aung Myay Thar Zan, Chan Aye Thar Zan, Chan Mya Tha Si, Maha Aung Myay, Pyigyidagun. In these townships, martial law may suspend certain civil liberties allowing security forces to be more aggressive in response to protests and in the enforcement of laws and regulations.
Beginning today, mobile internet outages persisted countrywide during the day and across all cellular providers. Home/fixed internet service providers (ISPs) continued to function in most parts of the country. Landline phones as well as mobile calling and SMS continue to function. As with previous internet outages, update loved ones in the U.S. when you have connectivity to let them know your status.
The current Level 4 Travel Advisory is the highest level issued by the Department of State and advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Burma or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so due to the greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. As a result of these conditions, if you experience an emergency, the U.S. Embassy has very limited ability to provide assistance. You can read the full Travel Advisory here.
If you would like to return to the United States, you may book a seat on an existing relief flight by contacting airlines or travel agents directly. Using a travel agent may be the easiest and least stressful means of booking a flight as they can do so on your behalf. For airline and travel agent contact information, please visit our website. For information on local COVID-19 testing options, please visit our COVID-19 page.
Please review the personal preparedness guidelines below:
- Under martial law, it is important to comply with checkpoint requirements.
- Shelter in your home should there be violence in your neighborhood.
- If in an apartment, familiarize yourself with your building’s fire exits.
- Make plans to account for the whereabouts of your loved ones if internet and cellular service are cut.
- Ensure you have enough food, water, cash, and other essentials to last you for several days.
- Contact loved ones in the U.S. when you can to update them on your status.
- Prepare a go-bag with essential items for immediate travel.
- Make sure your passport is still valid. Many countries require at least 6 months validity for entry or transit.
- Carry our emergency contact card in your wallet or on your phone.
The Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Rangoon remains open and is providing routine and emergency American citizen services. Please visit our website to schedule an appointment to renew your passport, register your child’s birth abroad, or for notary services.
For information and assistance:
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Burma, located at 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, at (+95) 1-753-6509 or at ACSRangoon@state.gov.
- Visit our website.
- Refer to the Burma Country Specific Information.
- Review the Department of State Travel Advisory for Burma.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- If you are in the United States, call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free or 1-202-501-4444 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
