Myanmar imposes tighter virus restrictions in main city

Myanmar, faced with a rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths, has imposed tightest restrictions so far to fight spre of disease.

measures cover Yangon, country's biggest city and main transportation hub, and were anunced on Sunday by Health Minister Dr Myint Htwe.

Measures effective on Monday allow just one person per household out of ir homes for shopping, and two for hospital visits, although a driver is also permitted when traveling by car.

Wearing face masks is mandatory.

All office staff must work from home, while factories, finishing and construction enterprises must halt operations from Sept 24 to October 7.

Personnel of essential services, including banks, gas stations, food shops and pharmacies are exempt from order.

Travel out of Yangon was alrey banned and all domestic flights grounded on September 11.

Until an upsurge in coronavirus cases last month in western state of Rakhine, Myanmar h appeared to have largely been spared from pandemic, having recorded just 353 virus cases as of beginning of August.

country as of Monday has 5,805 confirmed cases, including 97 deaths.