Covid-19 tests no longer free of charge

The Ministry of Health will no longer provide Covid-19 tests free of charge and Lao nationals and foreigners will now have to pay for tests and any treatment required.
Covid-19 tests have been provided free of charge since the first case of the virus in Laos was identified in March.
Treatment facilities run by central and local government agencies will start charging for Covid-19 tests immediately.
The charges will vary depending upon which category individuals fall into.
The following categories of Lao nationals and foreigners will pay 1.2 million kip for each test: people crossing international and local borders, foreign diplomats, staff working for international organisations, Lao and foreign business operators, tourists of any nationality, foreign workers, and people of any nationality who want a test for personal reasons.
Lao workers travelling abroad will also pay this rate to be screened for Covid-19.
A lower rate of 50,000 kip applies to Lao nationals crossing international and local borders because of illness or emergency medical needs, official delegations working abroad, and students.
Guests of the Party and State will not be required to pay for a test.
Laos has successfully contained the virus and has recorded only 41 cases, with four people currently under observation in hospital. No deaths have been reported.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has told authorities to prepare for the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19, which officials expect to take place in the middle of next year.
Twenty percent of the Lao population is set to be immunised in the middle of next year, with the vaccination programme expected to begin in April.
Worldwide, more than 78.2 million people were confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19 as of December 23. More than 1.7 million people have died.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update December 24, 2020)