Savannakhet City Under Lockdown
Source: Vientiane Times
Savannakhet provincial authorities have ordered a lockdown in Kaysone Phomvihane city until August 23, after locally-transmitted Covid infections were reported on August 5.
Provincial authorities have classified Nonsavanth village and the SOS school as red zones and other villages as yellow zones, with entry to and exit from red zone areas temporarily banned.
People may no longer enter or leave the provincial capital between the hours of 9pm and 5am, unless permission has been obtained from the city’s Covid-19 taskforce.
Travel between the provincial capital and other districts is also banned, except for people who work in the city and have been given permission to travel by provincial authorities.
Passenger transport services from other provinces to Kaysone Phomvihane city have also been suspended. The transport of goods is allowed but those involved must follow the rules laid down by provincial Covid-19 taskforces to prevent the spread of the virus.
People in Kaysone Phomvihane city who need to travel to other provinces and districts must obtain a document authorising travel from a district Covid-19 taskforce.
Gatherings of all kinds are banned and schools and the university in Kaysone Phomvihane city have been closed until August 23.
In addition, barber shops, beauty salons, internet café, snooker clubs, sports facilities, tourist attractions, spas and night markets have been closed and deliveries within the city are banned. Restaurants and cafes can remain open but can only offer takeaway services.
Minimarts and other shops can open from 7am to 8pm but must comply with standard virus prevention measures.
In Champassak province, Khong district authorities have ordered a lockdown in Na, Xiengdee, Hangkhone and Donsahong villages until August 22, with the area classified as a high-risk zone after locally-transmitted Covid infections were reported.
People living in the area may not travel to other districts unless they have permission from the Khong district Covid-19 taskforce, Khong Television reported on August 9.
On Tuesday, 315 new infections were reported across the country, raising the total to date to 8,877.
Vientiane recorded 39 imported new cases and three locally-transmitted case. Vientiane province seven imported cases, while Luang Prabang province recorded two imported cases.
Bokeo recorded eight locally-transmitted cases, Khammuan recorded 69 imported cases and three locally-transmitted infections, Savannakhet recorded 77 imported cases, Saravan recorded 64 imported cases, and Champassak recorded 43 imported cases, the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced on August 10.
Addressing the National Assembly on Monday, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who is the chairman of the taskforce, said that several challenges remain and require stronger action in order to curb the virus outbreak.
The challenges include the fact that numerous migrant workers are flocking home from neighbouring countries – a clear reference to Thailand where Covid-19 is rampant.
Many migrant workers have brought the virus with them, which has resulted in a high number of new cases being reported each day.
