Chinese authorities transferred more than 260 Burmese nationals imprisoned the country to Muse, northern Shan State on Thursday.

Thurein, a General Administrative Department (GAD) officer in Muse, said that 141 of the inmates had been imprisoned in Wuhan, where the COVID-19 pandemic originated.

Fifty-eight former inmates were also repatriated on Wednesday. Most of those transferred thus far have been former migrant workers.

“The Chinese authorities recommended we do a medical check on these people. They are all in good health. As far as I know, they have already been in Chinese quarantine,” Thurein told SHAN, adding that the check-ups have been carried out and involved testing for fever and HIV/AIDS.

Based on the information SHAN received, it is not believed that the local authorities tested the returnees for COVID-19, which would also require a period of quarantine and that their test swabs to be sent to the National Health Laboratory for assessment.

More than 120 of the returnees are from Shan State, with the others coming from—and returning to—Yangon, Mandalay, Irrawaddy and Sagaing regions and Chin, Kachin and Rakhine states.

“We will continue to monitor the people who live in Muse Township. We will transfer the remaining people to their respective regions,” GAD officer Thurein added.

Local government departments, locals and volunteer groups in Muse have jointly provided food and shelter to the returnees.

China has shut all border crossings in Muse Township since April 1.