“For anyone who hears the word of God,” he said, “that disease will never come and infect you.”
One of Myanmar’s two vice presidents, U Henry Van Thio, was tested for the disease after meeting separately with Mr. Lah, the authorities said. His test result was negative.
Mr. Lah, who has been imprisoned since May 20 awaiting trial, will be released in two weeks. U Wai Tun, who organized the event and played drums there, was also convicted and sentenced to three months.
Christians, who make up 6 percent of Myanmar’s population, are the largest religious minority in the predominantly Buddhist nation.
As of Thursday, Myanmar had reported 357 coronavirus cases and 6 deaths. Its testing rate — 2,219 per million people — is among the lowest in the world.
Reporting was contributed by Geneva Abdul, Luke Broadwater, Niraj Chokshi, Emily Cochrane, Patricia Cohen, Melissa Eddy, Thomas Erdbrink, Jacey Fortin, Sheera Frenkel, Cecilia Kang, David Leonhardt, Constant Méheut, Saw Nang, Richard C. Paddock, Jim Tankersley, Neil Vigdor, Katherine J. Wu, Ceylan Yeginsu and Elaine Yu.
