The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has reported the first Omicron variant from one of two family members who boarded AK 7552 flight from Malaysia on Jan 2.

There were 42 people on board the airplane.

The Omicron-infected woman, fully vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccine, traveled from India and had transit stops in Sri Lanka and Malaysia before flying to Laos.

“Having detected the Omicron variant, the Taskforce Committee, the Ministry of Health in particular, has taken urgent actions to prevent the virus from spreading,” Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, Director General, Department of Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health told a press conference on Thursday.

The crew members of flight AK 7552, immigration officers, drivers, and hotel reception staff who had had close contact with the passengers have been instructed to isolate themselves for 14 days.

“As for the next steps, the Taskforce Committee will impose stricter screening against foreign travelers, especially those from Omicron-hit countries, speed up administering Covid-19 vaccines, including booster shots, to reach 70% of the population,” said Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh.

Source: Lao News Agency