Lockdown extended to Luang Namtha special economic zone

Authorities have imposed a lockdown on the Boten Special Economic Zone in Luang Namtha province after two Chinese nationals known to be carrying Covid-19 were reported to have travelled through the province.
A lockdown is now in force in two places. Authorities in neighbouring Bokeo province locked down Tonpheung district on Friday after learning that the two infected Chinese nationals had also passed through the province.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Saturday ordered the lockdowns for a period of 14 days.
It was learned that two Chinese nationals on November 24 illegally entered Tonpheung district from Tachileik province in neighbouring Myanmar where they had worked in a karaoke club. They spent three days in Bokeo.
On November 27, the pair arrived at the Boten Special Economic Zone and stayed there until December 2, when they illegally crossed the border into China. They were detained by Chinese officers and tested positive for Covid-19. Chinese authorities informed their Lao counterparts about the incident.
The National Taskforce asked the subsidiary taskforces in Boten and Luang Namtha provinces to trace seven people believed to have been in direct contact with the two Chinese and those to have been in direct contact with the seven people in order to test them for the virus.
 The provincial taskforces were instructed to collect samples from anyone having Covid-19-like symptoms and to carry out tests. They were also asked to scrutinise anyone entering Bokeo or Luang Namtha and to strictly enforce Covid-19 prevention and control measures in their provinces.
With the lockdowns in place, people are not allowed to enter or exit the two areas.
In Tonpheung, the relevant provincial bodies are working with district officials to station officials at district checkpoints.
Travel within the district has also been suspended, except for essential trips such as hospital visits, taking children to school, and shopping for food. However, such trips must be approved by village authorities.
In light of the situation, authorities in neighbouring Phongsaly province took prompt action to prevent the spread of the virus and suspended public transport services to Luang Namtha. Users of public transport from Luang Namtha to Phongsaly are required to contact health authorities and passengers must undergo quarantine.
 Given that Laos is still at risk of further Covid-19 infections, the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday suspended the second Vientiane Marathon, which was planned for December 20.
So far, Laos has recorded 39 cases of Covid-19 (excluding the aforementioned two Chinese nationals). No deaths from the virus have been reported.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update December 7, 2020)