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.
August 7, 2020
Reconsider travel to Burma due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution due to areas of civil unrest and armed conflict.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Burma due to COVID-19.
Burma has lifted stay at home orders, and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Burma.
Do not travel to:
- Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk- U, Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung townships in Rakhine State due to civil unrest and armed conflict.
- Paletwa township in Chin State due to civil unrest and armed conflict
- Hpakan, Mansi, Momauk, Sumprabum, Tanai, and Waingmaw townships in Kachin State due to civil unrest and armed conflict.
- Hpapun township in Kayin State due tocivil unrest.
- Konkyan, Kutkai, Kyaukme, Laukkaing, Matman, Mongmao, Muse, Namphan, Pangsang, and Pangwaun townships in Shan State due to civil unrest and armed conflict.
Reconsider travel to:
- Matupi township in Chin State due to civil unrest.
- Bhamo and Mogaung townships in Kachin State due to civil unrest.
- Hopang, Hseni, Hsipaw, Mongkaung, Namhsan, Namtu, and Nanhkan townships in Shan State due to civil unrest.
- Shadaw township in Kayah State due to civil unrest.
The following areas of Burma are subject to civil unrest and armed conflict due to fighting between the Burmese military and various ethnic armed groups and militia forces.
- Northern Shan State
- Parts of Kachin, Rakhine, and Chin States
- The Naga Self-Administered Zone in northern Sagaing Region
Conflict-affected areas, particularly Northern Shan State and parts of Kachin, Rakhine, and Chin States are subject to land mines and unexploded ordinance. Land mines and unexploded ordnance have injured foreign tourists in conflict affected areas and their locations are often not marked or otherwise identifiable.
Read the Burma (Myanmar) country information page.
If you decide to travel to Burma:
- See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Review the list of restricted areas published by The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism
- Make arrangements to stay in a registered hotel or guesthouse, criminal penalties apply for non-compliance.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Report for Burma.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Parts of Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Sagaing, and Shan States
Some townships in the states listed above are subject to fighting between the Burmese military and armed insurgent groups. The level of risk varies significantly between townships and may change at any time:
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these townships as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these locations.
Review information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
