The Prime Minister’s Office signed on Feb 3 Notice No 130 easing quarantine requirements for people entering the Lao PDR, facilitating goods transport and removing some restrictions on doing business in the country to ensure people can pursue livelihoods and lifestyles under new normal requirements, and economic recovery.
The notice eases requirements relating to the required duration of quarantine for people wishing to enter the Lao PDR and requires Lao citizens returning to the country to take an RT PCR COVID-19 test and quarantine at facilities designated by the Taskforce Committee for 48 hours for test results to be released.
They must continue to quarantine themselves and strictly observe anti-Covid prevention and containment measures for 7 days although their test results are negative.
Diplomatic officials, representatives of international organisations of the United Nations system, international organisations given privileges, and family allowed to enter the Lao PDR by the Taskforce Committee must take a RT PCR Covid test when arriving in the Lao PDR, quarantine for 7 days and strictly observe anti-Covid measures.
Business people or investors allowed to do business or invest in the Lao PDR shall take a RT PCR Covid-19 test when arriving in the country and quarantine at facilities designated by Taskforce Committee for 48 hours for test results to be released. If the test results are negative, they can pursue with their planned business, provided they are wearing medical monitoring devises, and strictly observing covid-19 prevention and containment measures.
Foreign experts, technical staff, workers, entrepreneurs, students, foreign nationals of Lao origin and Lao citizens shall take a RT-PCR COVID-19 test and wait 48 hours at hotels designated by Taskforce Committee for test results to be released. They must continue to quarantine, wear medical monitoring devises, and observe strictly anti Covid prevention and containment measures for 7 days even the test results are negative.
Tourists travelling in groups under the Green Travel Trail scheme must take an RT PCR Covid-19 test when arriving in the Lao PDR, stay at hotels arranged by the Taskforce Committee for 48 hours for test results to be released. If the test results are negative they can pursue with their planned travel, provided they are wearing medical monitoring devises and observing anti-Covid prevention and containment measures.
In case of infection, they can receive treatment at hospitals, health facilities or accommodations for at least 10 days, depend on the severity, in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
Foreign nationals residing in the Lao PDR as well as those entering the Lao PDR according to the permission of the Central Taskforce Committee are required to install LaoKYC application on their smart phones so that they can use “Lao SuSu” service, and apply for (Vaccine ID) which can be used as a proof of Covid-19 vaccination and risk status when performing a duty, travelling or visiting public offices, factories, shops, restaurants, among others.
Local administrations at all levels are asked to exert greater efforts in mobilising vaccination against Covid-19 to achieve the highest possible Covid-19 vaccination coverage according to the Prime Minister’s Order No 24 on the intensification of Covid-19 vaccination activities.
Indoor and outdoor sports are allowed only if the owner imposes strict prevention and containment measures.
Entertainment venues must remain closed along with karaoke parlours.
Inter-province and -district public transport is allowed, provided both drivers and passengers receive all recommended doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Festival celebration must be of small scale, in a peaceful and orderly manner, and respect traditional values.
The notice also agrees in principles on the reopening of local and traditional border crossings for goods transport, and instructs Vientiane and other border provinces to discuss the possibility of the reopening with relevant authorities of neighbouring countries.
Source: Lao News Agency