Lao Health Ministry Details Requirements For Traveller’s Mandatory Medical Certificates

Source: Vientiane Times

The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has assigned the Ministry of Health to conduct tests and issue medical certificates for travellers who need to exit Laos, a senior official confirmed.

The taskforce committee has announced that only technical experts, diplomats and students will be allowed to travel overseas, but they must have the appropriate travel documents and authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They must also comply with the rules of other countries regarding Covid-19 prevention and control measures.  

Director General of the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, Dr Phonepadith Xangsayarath, explained to Vientiane Times recently the reason for travellers exiting Laos obtaining a medical certificate was to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

“Our centre has been designated to conduct health checks for Covid-19,” he said. Technical experts and diplomats to Laos wanting medical certificates for Covid-19 must obtain an official letter from their particular embassy. They need to report on the specific objectives and the details of the travel to the committee. Anyone without a valid medical certificate will be denied entry to many countries.

There will be multiple health checkpoints, and travellers will be required to produce medical documents from their country of origin.

“The medical certificate should certify that the traveller does not display any Covid-like symptoms and is Covid-negative. This preventive measure will go a long way in stopping the spread of the virus,” Dr Phonepadith said.

However, people with flu-like symptoms, coughs, sore throats, or respiratory problems or anyone with a history of contact with a high-risk group, will be prohibited from obtaining a medical certificate.

Patients who need hospital treatment overseas will be allowed to exit Laos but still have to comply with the entry requirements of the destination country.

Laos will keep its borders closed to foreign nationals in order to prevent the spread of the virus.  Meanwhile, everyone is required to abide by the government guidelines to ensure effective control of the coronavirus and prevent its spread, according to the taskforce committee.