The Sinbawkaing camp for internally displaced people (IDPs), which was locked down after seven IDPs tested positive for Covid-19, was reopened on July 23 after the virus patients from the camp were discharged from the hospital in good health.  

The Mrauk-U Township Health Department authorised the IDPs’ hospital discharges and restrictions have been eased at the camp, said Ko Myo Hlaing, a health officer.

“Six virus patients from the IDP camp have been discharged from the hospital since yesterday. Lockdown restrictions have been eased at the Sinbawkaing IDP camp since July 23,” he explained.  

“It is up to the local government to decide whether the restrictions remain in the IDP camp. The health department has eased restrictions,” he added.  

Despite the lifting of the lockdown, officials are reportedly still restricting who can enter and leave the camp.

The lingering control over Sinbawkaing IDPs’ movements has camp residents worried.

“As for the IDPs, they have to go out, and find it difficult to get anything except rice. As the month draws to a close, we will run out of rice. Since the camp was shut down, there have been almost no donors, and the IDPs have been in trouble,” said one IDP.

The Sinbawkaing IDP camp was locked down after seven IDPs tested positive for coronavirus on July 14 and 16.

The seven infected patients included two children, ages 11 and 15.

There are 775 households and more than 3,900 people in the Sinbawkaing IDP camp.

As of July 24, Mrauk-U Township had recorded 58 coronavirus cases, with three deaths, according to the Arakan State Administration Council.