Myanmar suspends all airlines flying between Yangon and China

A cabin crew member wearing a protective facemask demonstrates safety information on a flight before takeoff from Yangon international airport in Yangon on Feb 3. Myanmar has since suspended all flights from Yangon to China. - AFP

NAYPYIDAW (Eleven Media Group/ANN): Apart from two airlines between Yangon, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Myanmar has suspended all airline flights between Yangon and China in order to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, Hubei, China, according to Yangon International Airport.

Apart from Cathy Dragon Airlines which flies between Hong Kong-Yangon and China Air which fly between Taiwan and Yangon, all airlines have temporarily suspended the flight operations between Yangon and China since Feb 4.

The suspended Chinese airlines are: China Eastern Airline, 9 Air, JC (Cambodia), Qingdao Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Hainan Air, Spring Air, China Southern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Air China, Kunming Airlines and Ruili Air.

The State-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) and the private-owned Myanmar Airways International (MAI) also suspended their flight operations between Yangon and China.

Most airlines have halted their flight operations till the end of February. Airport Health Quarantine Team is monitoring passengers using WHO-recognised infrared thermal scanners.

As of Feb 1, Myanmar has temporarily stopped issuing the visa on arrival to the tourists from China, at Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport and Naypyidaw International Airport.

WHO declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus a global health emergency on Jan 30. - Eleven Media Group/Asia News Network