09 July
Authorities will take legal action against the undisciplined travellers who visit U Bein Bridge which was temporarily closed during the pandemic period, it is learnt.
To prevent the spreading of deadly viral disease, some of the significant places in Mandalay Region including pagodas, parks and U Bein bridge were closed temporarily starting from the first week of April.
After lifting the restriction in the Mandalay Region, the restaurants, fashion shops and souvenir shops are reopened at Taungthaman Lake. So, some of the travellers are visiting U Bein bridge although the bridge was closed. So, the related administration personnel held meetings to assign the security personnel in the U Bein bridge entrance area to prevent the travellers for visiting U Bein bridge. Those visitors entering the out of the bound area of U Bein bridge will have legal action taken.
“The undisciplined visitors are seen entering the out-of-bound areas of the U Bein bridge. If the visitors are still acting in an undisciplined manner, we will take legal action which may imprison them for a jail term of three to six months. The visitors are not allowed to enter the out-of-bound areas of U Bein bridge. Authorities also installed the barbed wire in U Bein bridge, said an official from Taungthaman Lake.
With the installation of barbed wire, there are no visitors on U Bein bridge currently. Although U Bein bridge was closed, the travellers are visiting Taungthaman Lake taking the joy-ride boats in the lake.
With the closure of U Bein bridge, the local people who earn their livelihoods in the area of U Bein bridge are facing difficulties.
Zin Yaw Aye (Translated by Hay Mar)
