Thai officials reportedly sent two Myanmar migrant workers back after finding they had a high fever and temperature when they entered Ranong, Thailand after doing extension of their visas at Kawthoung border gate.

A rumour circulated among local residents of Kawthoung and on social media that the two Myanmar workers were infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Kawthoung hospital medical superintendent (MS) Dr. Khin Zaw told Mizzima that the news of two Myanmar workers infected with COVID-19 and sent back by Thai officials from Ranaung border gate was false and it was just a rumour.

In reply to question asked by Mizzima, Kawthoung hospital MS Dr. Khin Zaw said, “The rumour of two Myanmar migrant workers being infected with coronavirus is circulating among the people. This is false news. They are having ordinary fever not the virus infection.”

These two Myanmar workers were working in Thailand and they arrived back at Kawthoung border gate on March 20 in the morning for renewing their visas, Dr. Khin Zaw added.

“In fact they came back for renewal of their visas and then they were sent back when they reentered Thai gate as they were having a high temperature with fever,” MS Dr. Khin Zaw said.

These two Myanmar migrant workers are from Kyunsu Township, Myeik district and Kawthaoung Township, Kawthoung district. One of them is recovering from his fever and another one was reportedly admitted at Kawthoung hospital for treatment.

Moreover, the Thai government deported 101 Myanmar nationals who worked in 14 districts of southern Thailand, of which 68 are male and 33 are female, from Ranaung Immigration Detention Center (IDC), after serving their sentences given for various offences, to Kawthoung border gate on March 19 in the evening.

It is learned that some people of these deported 101 Myanmar nationals are suffering from fever and sickness.