Laos updates int’l community amidst virus pandemic

The government has briefed foreign embassies and diplomatic representatives, and international organisations in Laos to address problems they may face during the country’s lockdown to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith presided over the briefing held yesterday in Vientiane to deliver the new order of the Prime Minister on measures to stop the disease outbreak.
“We’ll try our best to communicate to the whole international community living and working in the Lao PDR on any measures that the government will further take in response to Covid-19. Please be informed we will do it through our Foreign Ministry’s website if the government takes further additional measures,” Mr Saleumxay said.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Sunday (March 29) announced measures to enhance comprehensive preparedness to prevent and control the pandemic.
The new PM’s order covered stricter measures regarding international crossings, and travelling within Laos, and even within provinces of the country, which came into effect from yesterday. International flights have also been suspended.
Diplomats raised some issues at the briefing concerning international visitors who are stuck in Laos due to the suspension of flights and accommodation services.
Regarding this, Mr Saleumxay said his ministry would quickly coordinate with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Lao Airlines as soon as it got all information on the number of travellers. He noted the importance of connecting flights to final destinations that had been booked through transit hubs such as Bangkok, Thailand, as an example.
The minister also suggested the diplomatic community coordinate with each other to help their citizens, such as those from European countries, who wanted to connect via Bangkok to their final destination. He said this would be more convenient for Lao authorities to coordinate arrangements at short notice for flights from Vientiane to Bangkok.
Shuttle flights will be allowed for countries to pick up their citizens from Laos.
For hotels and guesthouses, Mr Saleumxay said they could close if operators felt they were at risk, but those still open had to adhere to the strict measures.
Tourists with expired visas would not be fined for overstaying, according to Mr Saleumxay. He said his ministry was pleased that many people wanted to extend their visas and authorities would coordinate the facilitation.
For those foreigners stuck in other provinces and willing to go to Vientiane, the minister said they should get authorisation from local authorities such as the provincial Department of Health to ensure they are not infected with the virus. Those infected must be in quarantine and treated in the provinces.          
From tomorrow until April 19, civil servants and government employees have been ordered to work from home instead.
Mr Saleumxay said there was strong encouragement for anybody to stay at home, but the country could not be locked down completely. Even though passenger transport had been suspended, freight shipments were still allowed, but in limited number. Medical emergencies were also allowed between Laos and Thailand with coordination between the two sides.
At the briefing, the minister, representing the government, thanked the United Nations and international community for their continued support of Laos in the fight against Covid-19.

By Somxay Sengdara
(Latest Update March 31, 2020)