Tonpheung District Under Lockdown After Man Tests Positive For Covid-19

Source: Vientiane Times

Authorities have ordered a lockdown in the Golden Triangle special economic zone, which includes Tonpheung district in Bokeo province, with no one allowed to enter or leave the district in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

A notice to this effect was issued by the Bokeo Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on January 12 after a Chinese worker living in the Golden Triangle special economic zone tested positive for the virus.

The man developed a fever and was admitted to Tonpheung district hospital on January 8.

The lockdown will remain until January 25 and Bokeo provincial authorities are working with district officials to station officials at checkpoints around Tonpheung district.

A lockdown is now in force in two areas of Bokeo province.

Travel within the district has been suspended, except for essential trips such as hospital visits, taking children to school, and shopping for food. However, such trips must be approved by village authorities.

The national taskforce asked the subsidiary taskforces in Bokeo and the Golden Triangle special economic zone to trace anyone in China and Laos who had come into direct contact with the man so they could be tested for the virus.

Provincial taskforces have been instructed to collect samples from anyone having Covid-19-like symptoms and to carry out tests. They were also asked to scrutinise anyone entering Bokeo and to strictly enforce Covid-19 prevention and control measures.

It is essential for Bokeo to continue to strictly enforce the order and other measures laid down by authorities to prevent the virus from spreading into Laos. The order was put into practice under a Prime Minister’s Order, which spelled out the steps to be taken to enforce the measure.

Furthermore, Bokeo is considered a high-risk region for the virus as it borders populous China.

Up until January 12, a total of 96,939 people were tested for Covid-19. To date, only 41 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in
Laos and no deaths from the virus have been reported

Lao authorities are continuing to be vigilant and imposing strict precautionary measures. Uniform standards of self-monitoring and quarantine are required for the staff of international organisations, business executives, and general workers. A 14-day period of self-monitoring is required for everyone entering Laos with no Covid-19 symptoms.