Govt Gives Update On Covid-19 Prevention Measures

Source: Vientiane Times

The government will continue to suspend the issuing of tourist visas for anyone travelling from or transiting via countries where a Covid-19 outbreak is taking place, a task force committee said on Monday.

The pandemic prevention and control measures that have been in place for August will continue to be imposed in September, Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Dr Phouthone Meuangpak told a press conference.

The government updates the measures every month in accordance with the pandemic outbreak situation around the world and the circumstances in Laos.

Dr Phouthone said foreign diplomats, the staff of international organisations, experts, investors, businesspeople, technical staff, and workers deemed essential for projects in Laos could enter the country upon approval by the task force committee.

Charter flights remain suspended with the task force and civil aviation authorities instructed to draw up new prevention and control measures before requesting the government to approve a resumption of the flights.

International checkpoints remain closed for ordinary travel, except essential crossings for Lao and foreign nationals who are permitted by the task force committee. The transport of goods via international checkpoints is allowed as usual.

Traditional and local border checkpoints are also closed, except those permitted by the government for goods transport.
Any earlier change to the one-month measures would be announced periodically, according to Dr Phouthone, who is also deputy health minister.

Entertainment venues and gaming shops remain closed. Authorities in charge were told to inspect such premises after learning operators of some entertainment venues had violated the closure order.

“Those violating will be warned and have had their licenses temporarily revoked for repeated infringement,” Dr Phouthone said.
All restaurants around the country are required to close by 11pm.

The government told the Ministry of Public Security to work with local authorities to follow up and get those crossing borders where there is no checkpoint to undertake 14-day compulsory quarantine and have their samples tested for Covid-19.

There have been 22 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Laos, including 21 discharged patients.

There have now been more than 25 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in 188 countries. More than 840,000 people have lost their lives, according to the BBC.

Latin America and Asia are the continents that currently have the highest number of daily confirmed cases.