Finland raised alert level of its travel advice to Myanmar

Due to the military coup on 1 February 2021, the situation in Myanmar is now deeply disturbing. On 29 March 2021, Finland together with the other Nordic countries raised the alert level of its travel advice, urging travellers “to leave the country as soon as possible”.

The army and police in Myanmar have used violence in responding to large protests against the coup. Violence has intensified and escalated in the past few weeks. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have become wounded. The number of detainees is several thousands. Both protests and the army’s efforts to quell them have mainly moved to residential areas, away from the main streets of cities. The protesters against the coup are also increasingly resorting to force against the security authorities.

The situation is dangerous for foreigners staying in the country. The risk of outsiders falling a victim to violence has markedly grown. Due to extensive strikes, many functions in society have deteriorated. Banking sector and public healthcare services are very limited, and imports of goods have practically come to a halt. Finland has strongly condemned the coup and calls for a return to democracy. The violence perpetrated by the army against unarmed civilians is strongly condemnable.

Reliable information about COVID-19 in Myanmar is not available because testing is almost non-existent. Individuals exiting the country have still been able to get tested.

The Finnish Embassy in Yangon has been in touch with Finnish citizens staying in the country and advised them to leave the country. The Embassy continues to follow the situation closely.

 

Inquiries:

Antti Putkonen, Director, Unit for Consular Assistance, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 126

Annika Rautiainen, Administrative Officer, Consular Services, Embassy of Finland in Yangon, tel. +95 9 765 415 448