The business sector has asked the government to cut quarantine times imposed for Covid-19 test result to be confirmed to 24 hours, claiming that waiting for more than one day for a test result may serve to deter foreign visitors from visiting the country.

The national committee on reopening the country to visitors met yesterday to discuss preparations made by the government and private sector.

“The situation of Civid-19 in Laos hasn’t subsided yet, but the Lao government will continue to try to restore tourism, because the industry is crucial to reviving the country’s economy,” said Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun, who is also chairman of the national committee in charge of reopening the country to foreign visitors.

A recent study has suggested that Covid-19 has imposed severe impacts on tourism sector with revenues generated by the industry declining 65% compared to pre-Covid-19 years.

To revive tourism industry, meetings have been held with representatives of the provinces located along the Laos-China Railway asked to identify tourism potential and products in their respective provinces to be advertised at the railway stations.

The Ministry of Health issued on Dec 13 a notice urging people in green zones and provinces located along the Laos-China Railway who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 for five months to get vaccinated with booster dose.

Source: Lao News Agency