Lao Govt Approves Green Tourism Plan With A View To Reopening Specific Areas To Tourists Next Month
Source: Vientiane Times
The government has approved a plan for “green tourism areas” with a view to reopening specific areas of the country to tourists next month.
Under the scheme, Lao and foreign visitors who wish to travel to green tourism zones must have had two doses of a Covid vaccine less than 14 days prior to travel.
Foreign visitors must apply for a pass by filling out an online form obtained from eVisa officials and must have had a PCR Covid test less than 72 hours before entering Laos. They must also have another test upon arrival in Laos.
While waiting for the test results, a visitor must quarantine in a hotel for 24 hours. If the test is negative, the visitor can proceed to a green zone, the Pathetlao Daily reported.
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If the result is positive, the visitor must spend three days in isolation before being tested again. If the isolation period is longer than three days, the visitor’s expenses will be refunded.
Before entry to tourist sites in green zones, visitors must show a Covid vaccination certificate.
Children aged 5-18 must also take a PCR test but are not required to have been vaccinated. Children under the age of 5 do not need to take a Covid test.
Everyone who has had two doses of a Covid vaccine can enter Laos by air unless coming from a country for which a visa is unacceptable.
Before entry into Laos foreign nationals must register on www.lapevisa.gov.lagreenzone 7-30 days before travel.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is preparing to reopen the country to vaccinated tourists under the Lao Travel Green Zone programme.
The programme will see Vientiane, Vangvieng and Luang Prabang designated as green zones to ensure the safety of travellers and service providers.
Areas described as green zones must have a population that is 70-80 percent vaccinated, while 90-95 percent of service providers must also be vaccinated.
For travel in green zone areas, tourists must book hotels that have been approved by LaoSafe as well as show a vaccination certificate.
Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said last month that the government will invite Lao and foreign tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid to come to Laos, with a particular focus on visitors from China and the Republic of Korea.
It is hoped that the Lao Thiao Lao (Lao Visit Laos) campaign will attract at least 1.9 million Lao visitors and more than 1 million foreign visitors in 2022.
