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We are still here! Let us send you tips for travelling through Myanmar and stories from the road …
In spite of the lack of reliable data from the current authorities, COVID-19 is under control in Myanmar. Borders are open and most restrictions have been rescinded. Most pagodas have re-opened. Most restaurants, cafés, tea shops and bars have re-opened and are welcoming dine-in guests. Shopping malls will likely insist upon taking your body temperature before entry. It is recommended to have a face mask with you as this may be required to enter some shops and restaurants. Some taxi drivers may also request that you wear a mask.
On this page we have listed some useful resources in regard to COVID-19 in Myanmar and outlined what Sampan and our partners are doing to keep travellers safe. If you wish for extra clarity or reassurance on any of the below you are welcome to email us directly and look at our comprehensive practical information for travelling in Myanmar.
Here is an in-depth dashboard of the situation in Myanmar including the death rate and the number of positive cases in different locations.
Here you will find the pandemic-specific travel advice from the British Foreign Office.
We recommend Frontier as a reliable on-the-ground news source. You can subscribe to their Daily Briefing here.
For a global view of the pandemic and current health guidelines please refer to the World Health Organization. They also have a page on Myanmar.
We recommend Pear Anderson’s Coronavirus Travel Impact Dashboard for the latest travel industry news and analysis across Southeast Asia.
Here you can see the “Safe Travels” Global Protocols from the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Our first priority is to ensure that the Sampan team is safe. Work from home is facilitated and strongly encouraged for those who are at high-risk or living with high-risk individuals. Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 are requested to stay away from the office.
Hygiene measures have been put in place in the office. Physical distancing is allowed for and external visitors are kept to a bare minimum.
Information and clear communication about Sampan’s internal office policies in response to the coronavirus pandemic are displayed.
Our full internal policy can be seen here. Please note that this is a breathing document that will be adapted as the situation develops.
Sampan Travel requires assurance from all our partners throughout our supply chain on the precautions they are taking to keep our guests safe.
Sampan has created the following guidelines to which our Partners must adhere to:
These guidelines have been based on regulations drawn up by the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MOHT), the World Travel and Tourism Council, and the “Tour Care” Guidelines created by the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), the European Tourism Association (ETOA), and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).
In addition to the above Guidelines, guests of Sampan are invited to request to see the specific policies and guidelines of any of Sampan’s partners collaborating on their journey.
Sampan Travel will provide clear, consistent and up-to-date communication to Our Guests on new health & hygiene protocols.
The Guidelines referred to in the “Our Partners” section above will be shared with Our Guests prior to their trip. Specific precautions being taken by specific partners can be provided upon request.
Our Guests are requested to read Sampan’s COVID-19 Secure Policy – Our Guests in full so they are aware of both the precautions we are taking to keep them safe and the precautions expected of them to keep others safe.
Sampan would like to congratulate our friends and partners working in their communities to help those in most need during this difficult time, particularly Sa Ba Street Food Tours, Uncharted Horizons, and Doh Eain.
Sampan`s newsletter specifically for information about traveling through Myanmar during the pandemic, focusing on government regulations, requirements and permissions, has currently been suspended due to political turbulence. You can subscribe to below to receive updates when we recommence.
