The Government has announced the extension of anti-Covid-19 measures for two more weeks, taking effect between Oct 1-15 to ensure the minimizing of infections and deaths attributed to Covid-19.

Under the latest decision by the government, border checkpoints across the country will remain closed.

Tourist and visitor visas will not be issued. However diplomatic personnel, employees of international organizations, experts, and investors will be granted entry only if they comply with all anti-Covid-19 measures imposed by the government.

Ambassadors and heads of international organizations may use their residences for quarantine as those with lower ranks must be quarantined at designated quarantine hotels.

Entertainment venues, cinemas, spas, karaoke bars, pubs, internet cafes, snooker halls, and casinos must remain closed across the country.

Massage parlors, beauty salons, night markets, food gardens, and tourist sites in areas with community spread of Covid-19 must remain closed.

Factories in areas with community cases of Covid-19 must be closed except with permission from the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

Factories manufacturing consumer goods, medicines or medical equipment can open as long as they comply strictly with Covid-19 prevention measures.

Individuals are prohibited from entering or exiting areas with community spread of Covid-19 except those with prior permission from the Covid Taskforce or relevant authorities.

Indoor and outdoor fitness centers or stadiums must close, while outdoor exercises in areas with community spread of Covid-19 (red zone) are prohibited.

All parties, gatherings, and social events are prohibited across the country.

Stockpiling, hoarding, and increasing of goods prices are prohibited.

Road traffic within Vientiane and other provinces with community cases of Covid-19 is prohibited from 22:00 to 5:00 hours, except for freight vehicles, emergency vehicles, and those of the Covid-19 Taskforce or government officials who are on official trips.

Schools and educational institutions at every level across the country are to remain closed.

Meetings and conferences or other gatherings with more than 20 persons are prohibited along with religious festivals and activities. Should any individuals or organizations, including government agencies, wish to hold a conference or gathering, it must request prior permission from the Covid-19 Taskforce.

Shopping malls, retail shops, supermarkets, minimarts, and fresh markets that comply with Covid-19 prevention measures may remain open. Covid-19 prevention measures must be fully implemented including temperature checks, wearing facemasks, and social distancing of at least one meter. All such retailers and market venues must be closed by 8 pm.

Funerals, wakes, and other religious services must be held in accordance with the instructions provided by the Covid Taskforce.

Barbershops and beauty salons that are not in red zones may resume operations, with Covid-19 prevention measures including social distancing strictly followed at all times. Employees and customers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and such businesses must close by 7 pm.

Restaurants and cafes in localities without community spread may continue to provide dine-in services, however, tables must be organized at least one meter apart, while service of alcohol is prohibited. Restaurants must strictly comply with all Covid-19 prevention measures. Restaurants in areas with outbreaks of Covid-19 can provide takeaway services only.

Factories and plants in localities without community spread may operate on the condition that their employees receive two doses of Covid-19 vaccine and do not reside in areas with community cases (red zones).

Factories wishing to house employees on site may do so only if they submit detailed plan to Taskforce Committee for consideration.

Meetings can be held in areas without community infections and social distancing and other Covid-19 prevention measures must be strictly observed. Participants of the meeting must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Should conferences be held in different provinces, relevant provincial authorities must be notified in advance.

Travel within localities that have not experienced an outbreak may continue as usual.

Land, water, and air transport between provinces without community spread of Covid-19 may resume and no quarantine is required.

Foreign citizens who have entered Laos and wish to travel to other provinces must show travel itinerary, proof of 14-day quarantine, and permission from the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to relevant authorities without having to undertake additional quarantine at the destination province.

Foreigners who reside in Laos or have been in Laos for some time are allowed to travel under the same conditions as Lao citizens.

Travel to and from provinces with Covid-19 outbreak will require permission from the provincial taskforces of the province of origin and destination province.

Drivers transporting goods between provinces may deliver the cargos to destination without unloading them during the trip and they are not required to undertake Covid-19 tests or quarantine in the destination province but must comply with Covid-19 measures of the Taskforce.

Teaching and learning of vocational education, pedagogical training, and the final year of all educational levels may resume if authorized by the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control as long as Covid-19 prevention and control measures are strictly followed.

Indoor and outdoor fitness centers and stadiums in provinces without community spread may continue operation as long as no alcoholic drinks are sold on their premises and all anti-Covid-19 measures are observed.

As for Vientiane, massage parlors may reopen in areas without community cases on the condition that both customers and service providers are fully vaccinated and the parlors must be closed by 8 pm.

Source: Lao News Agency