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.
March 5, 2021
Below is an end of week status update on conditions in Burma. The Consular Section is planning a virtual town hall with Ambassador Vajda next week for U.S. citizens living in Burma. More information will be shared at a later date.
Security Situation: Over the last several days, protests have continued with an increased security force presence. Police have resorted to more forceful tactics, including the use of tear gas and in some cases live ammunition to disperse protests. Roadblocks, either created by security forces or by community watch members, may exist. Continue to avoid protests and be especially mindful in areas with security force presence. On days when protests are particularly heavy, delay unnecessary travel and monitor the news. U.S. citizens should be especially cautious when interacting with security forces, to include passing security checkpoints. In the event you are approached by local law enforcement, identify yourself as a U.S. citizen and attempt to return home or to a public space as soon as possible. A best practice is to carry your U.S. passport to aid in identification. For your awareness, it is illegal in Burma to take photos or videos of security force operations or military facilities. Police may take action against individuals attempting to do so.
Curfew: A nationwide ban on gatherings of five or more people, as well as a nationwide curfew from 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., remains in place.
Airport and Flights: Yangon International Airport (YIA) remains open for international relief flights from Singapore Airlines, MAI, and others. As of today, the next available flight is on March 10, however, cancellations and rescheduling remain frequent. Please contact travel agencies and airlines to book flights and get the latest information. Please refer to our website for travel agent and airline contact information. The road to the airport remains open.
COVID Testing Facilities: The Airport Cargo Warehouse at YIA, N Health, Pun Hlaing Hospital, and Samitivej International Clinic continue to offer COVID-19 tests for international travel. Please refer to our COVID-19 website for the latest information on local testing options and for more information about CDC testing requirements.
Supermarkets: CityMart/Marketplace announced nationwide closure on March 4 for the second time since the coup. Such announcements usually occur the day before a closure. Please plan to have a sufficient stock of food for several days in the event closures continue.
Electricity: There were reports of nationwide power outages today. Authorities have not indicated whether there will be future outages.
Fuel: We have not received reports of a fuel shortage. Gasoline for vehicles is still available in most locations. It is recommended to keep your gas tank near full if possible.
Financial Transactions: Most banks and Western Unions in Burma remain closed. Some businesses will accept cash payments only. International credit cards are accepted at certain businesses. Currency exchange services remain open in some areas. Some ATMs continue to dispense cash. Ensure you have enough cash on hand should shortages and disruptions in banking persist.
Medical Services. Major private hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay remain open. There are no reports of shortages in medication or supplies. Please check your local medical provider for updates on the services you need.
Communications: Internet and mobile data outages continue from 1:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. each day. There is still the possibility that outages will occur during the day. Please update family in the U.S. often and have a plan in place to contact loved ones in Burma during the hours that internet and mobile data are out. Rumors are frequent and often difficult to verify with authorities. Please be cautious with information you hear from friends or on the internet.
Please review the personal preparedness guidelines below:
- Make plans to account for the whereabouts of your loved ones.
- Ensure you have enough food, water, cash, and other essentials to last you for several days.
- Contact loved ones 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.
