[ The Irrawady ] Chinese-Backed New City Project on Myanmar-Thai Border Under COVID-19 Lockdown

Myanmar authorities have locked down the controversial China-backed Shwe Kokko new city project in Karen State, eastern Myanmar following a spike in COVID-19 infections in the area.

The lockdown comes as Myanmar is experiencing a recent rapid rise in coronavirus cases, with a total of 546 new infections reported nationwide on June 19 alone, according to the junta-controlled Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS).

“There have been over ten COVID-19 cases now. Both the project site and the village are in lockdown. All outsiders are required to be kept in isolation for 14 days,” said Shwe Kokko project director Saw Min Min Oo.

“A few days ago, some security and cleaning staff tested positive for the virus. Two of my friends and myself have also tested positive for the virus,” said an employee who works at the construction site.

Known as Shwe Kokko for its location in Shwe Kokko, a Moei River village on the Myanmar-Thai border in Myawaddy Township, the new city project has been plagued with allegations of Chinese mafia involvement.

The project is reported to be a US$15-billion (19.45-trillion-kyat) collaboration between the Chit Lin Myaing Co. run by the Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF) and a Hong Kong-registered company, Yatai International Holding Group.

Villagers in Shwe Kokko, including a BGF member, have also tested positive for COVID-19. The BGF member is reportedly responding to medical treatment.

Myanmar authorities and the Shwe Kokko management are providing tests, but the former charges 10,000 kyats and the latter charges 800 Thai baht per test, according to locals.

“It costs 800 baht or around 40,000 kyats to test. Previously, we didn’t have to pay for the test if we got sick and got tested. But if you get sick now, it costs over 1,000 baht to test, including medicines for the fever,” said a local.

COVID-19 tests were provided free before the Myanmar military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup.