Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma

Location: Burma

Event: On March 16, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Sports announced that there are zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Burma.

The government of Burma has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

All foreign nationals with travel to Hubei Province, China, and Daegu and Gyeongbuk Regions, Republic of Korea in the last 14 days are not permitted entry into Burma.

All persons with travel to the Republic of Korea in the last 14 days (outside of Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions) are required to present a medical certificate from the Korean health authorities demonstrating no symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or shortness of breath) in order to board a plane to Burma. These travelers must also home-quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Burma.

All persons arriving from, or having visited Italy, Iran, France, Spain, or Germany in the last 14 days must present a medical certificate issued by respective country health authorities of having no symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or shortness of breath) in order to board a plane to Burma. These travelers must also undergo quarantine in a Burmese government public hospital for 14 days after arriving in Burma. It is unclear if transiting one of these identified countries will impact arrival procedures into Burma.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

On March 14, 2020, the Department of State authorized the departure, from any diplomatic or consular post, including U.S. Embassy Rangoon, of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at a higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Burma.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States