Myanmar

The Ministry of Health has amended its inbound travel requirements for international visitors, removing the obligation to purchase a Myanma Insurance policy, so long as they can show an existing, internationally recognised insurance policy and that the policy specifically mentions COVID coverage for Myanmar

The UN special envoy to Myanmar has noted that “violence continues at an alarming scale” in the country, and that “both sides are intent on prevailing by force”

The Indonesian President has said that resolving Myanmar’s crisis will take time, but that it will do its best

Many hotels are fully booked for the Thingyan (Myanmar New Year) holiday period, with popular destinations including Bagan, Ava, Mingun, Ngapali, Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung, according to The Irrawaddy. 75% of hotels are booked in Chaungtha Beach

The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar has called for Telegram to protect human rights activists and women, saying that “unless Telegram fundamentally changes its approach to content moderation in Myanmar, it is likely that pro-military actors will simply open new accounts and continue their campaign of harassment”

International arrivals to Myanmar in Jan 2023 reached 35,722, +214% YoY. 17,884 visited by air, and 17,421 through land borders

30 people were killed whilst sheltering in a monastery in Shan State

Khiri Travel has restarted its Myanmar tours, saying that, “we recognise the undesirable humanitarian and political situation in Myanmar. However, we believe Khiri Travel can and should be able to organise trips into Myanmar, as it will help bring at least a small degree of income and hope to local people. Arranging any trip to Myanmar does not imply tacit approval of the ruling regime”. It will limit Myanmar destinations to those most popular, for safety reasons, and has pledged to only “run trips that, to the greatest extent possible, help local small and medium-sized businesses and independent guides in Myanmar”

The National Unity Government has reported that Myanmar has committed more than 30 massacres of civilians since 1 Feb 2021

The junta has criticised the UN human rights chief for their comments, calling them “irrelevant”, and that they were just “allegations”. It claimed that citizens were being killed by “terrorist” groups

The US has added 3 more Myanmar companies to its blacklist

Naypyidaw has been hit by explosions for 3 consecutive days, although no one is believed to have been injured

The UN has said in a new report that the junta are now “making war against its own people”, resulting in a crisis which has resulted n a loss, a regression in every human right, and that includes the basic ability to live and to have an economic future”. It estimates that more than 1 million people have been displaced, and 25 million live in poverty, whilst 17.6 million need humanitarian assistance

China and Myanmar have resumed work on a railway project plan which would run from Muse on the border to Mandalay in phase 1, then Mandalay to Kyaukphyu in the second phase

The Malaysian PM has said that the crisis in Myanmar is impacting ASEAN, and new ways must be undertaken, instead of relying on the five-point peace plan

Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint have not been permitted to meet with their legal representation since their trials ended in Dec 2022

New passport applications started to be accepted via online reservations from 24 Feb, but access to the website is reportedly difficult, driven by the demand of applicants on the site, according to Nikkei Asia