Myanma Railways (MR) has resumed its services which were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to media reports on February 5.

U Zaw Lwin, assistant general manager from Yangon Region No 7 Division, was quoted as saying that that the company has reinstated all train schedules and that the trains are running all regular routes.

State media reported that the routes include Yangon-Mandalay, Mandalay-Myitkyina, Yangon-Mawlamyine-Ye-Dawei, Yangon-Pyay and Mandalay-Lashio. 

Other routes will be serviced by express trains, passenger and mail trains, passenger and cargo trains and short trip trains. More circular trains will be added from February 4, it said.

Passengers boarding the trains are required to adhere to current COVID-19 rules and regulations as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sports. Social distancing between seats on the trains will also be observed.

Myanma Railways was operating via 156 trains for 168 routes prior to the outbreak. Its fleet included 40 express trains, 52 mail trains, 48 cargo trains and 13 short trip trains, in addition to a circular train with 21 coaches.

Reports stated that the company had suspended the running of their passenger trains to contain the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with guidance from the relevant authorities.