Businesses Must Implement Virus Measures To Prevent New Outbreaks

Source: Vientiane Times

Enterprises operating during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic must strictly implement precautionary measures to avert further outbreaks of the virus, authorities have advised.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has recommended numerous measures for effective outbreak control to businesses such as accommodation providers, cafes, barbershops and beauty salons.

The recommendations are in accordance with the announcement of the Prime Minister’s Office on May 1 that continues to implement measures to prevent and control COVID-19 from May 4-17.

The guidance includes businesses checking the body temperature of employees before work. If any worker’s body temperature exceeds 37.5C the company must call the 165 or 166 hotlines for further instructions, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

All employees must wear face masks and organisations must upgrade staff knowledge about preventing the spread of the coronavirus such as how to practice social distancing of at least one metre between customers.

Businesses must set up basins for handwashing or provide alcohol gel containing at least 70 percent alcohol for customers and employees.

Equipment and surfaces at beauty salons must be cleaned with alcohol before and after use, and employees must use gloves during cleaning.

Customers entering accommodation venues and retail outlets must wear masks, submit to body temperature checks as well as wash their hands with supplied soap or use alcohol gel to gain entry.

Accommodation providers and shops must be well ventilated while implementing social distancing of at least one metre. Venues must be cleaned morning and evening, especially toilets and floors using sodium hypochlorite, alcohol or detergent. Alcohol gel should also be provided at counters for customers.

The rules are in effect from May 4-17 and authorities will revise the measures if the COVID-19 situation changes.

Laos had 10 infected patients who continue to be cared for at Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane, the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control announced on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Health as of May 3, COVID-19 had spread to 212 countries and territories, with 3,428,425 confirmed cases globally (84,023 new infections). The virus had claimed 243,832 lives while more than 1,093,199 people have recovered.

On May 2 there were 447 new virus infections and 56 deaths recorded among Asean members countries.