Vangvieng Authorities Call For Lockdown Of District
Source: Vientiane Times
Vangvieng district authorities have asked Vientiane provincial authorities to consider ordering a lockdown in the district after cases of Covid-19 were reported in the area recently.
“We recommend a lockdown in Vangvieng district because new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Vientiane province. Most of these have occurred in Phonhong district, which is close to Vangvieng,” Vangvieng district Governor Mr Bounchan Malavong told Vientiane Times on Wednesday.
It is hoped that a lockdown will be ordered soon, he added.
“We believe some people infected with the virus came to Vangvieng district and stayed in hotels and guesthouses here,” he said.
Vangvieng district authorities have also proposed the temporary closure of entertainment venues, hotels, guesthouses and tourist attractions, although the government has recently allowed the opening of tourist accommodation and visitor attractions, Mr Bounchan said.
Meanwhile, Phonhong district has been placed under lockdown after 13 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded on Tuesday and four more on Wednesday.
Most of the infections have occurred in Mai village where all businesses have been closed until no new cases of the virus are reported. Entertainment venues, buffet restaurants, internet cafés, saunas, spas and massage parlours have all closed temporarily.
Village authorities have banned people from leaving areas where the virus has been detected. Anyone entering Phonhong district must have good reason and must have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. They must also get authorisation from the district Covid-19 taskforce.
The Phonhong district education and sports office has closed all schools in the district and final year exams for Grade 5 primary school children have been postponed until further notice.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control reported 23 new Covid-19 cases on July 1, bringing the total number recorded in Laos to 2,144.
Vientiane province recorded three new cases, Vientiane recorded two imported cases, Savannakhet recorded seven imported cases, Champassak recorded seven imported cases, and Khammuan recorded four imported cases.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has urged everyone to follow the lockdown rules with regard to travel restrictions and social gatherings, as these may cause people who are unaware that they are carrying the virus to pass it on to others.
Health officials urge anyone who thinks they have come into contact with an infected person to self-isolate for 14 days. People who need to leave their homes should wear a face mask, regularly wash their hands with soap, and avoid touching their mouth and eyes.
