PM orders preparations for vaccination, action escalated to combat Covid-19

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.
At-risk groups will be vaccinated first, PM Thongloun told a press conference on Tuesday, in a clear reference to frontline officials.
The press conference was held at the Prime Minister’s Office shortly after the premier held a meeting with the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

“Prepare to receive the vaccines,” the PM said as he briefed the media on the instructions he issued at the meeting.
The vaccines will be provided by friendly countries and international organisations.
Deputy Head of the taskforce, Dr Phouthone Muongpak, who also attended the meeting, told Vientiane Times the vaccines will be supplied under COVAX – a global initiative working for global equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Sufficient doses will be supplied to immunise 20 percent of the Lao population.  
In addition to the vaccines provided, PM Thongloun told the taskforce to budget for the purchase of more vaccines so that everyone could be immunised within a reasonable timeframe.
The prime minister asked the taskforce to intensify measures to keep Covid-19 in check after learning that the virus was spreading in neighbouring countries and around the world.
Scientists have discovered that the virus has mutated and the new variant spreads more quickly, PM Thongloun said.
“The people most recently confirmed to have the virus showed no symptoms, which makes it more difficult and complicated to prevent and control the spread,” the premier said.
“It requires us to increase vigilance.”
PM Thongloun admitted that Laos was still at risk of a second wave of Covid-19 given these developments.
In these circumstances, he told the taskforce to review the existing measures and formulate additional and essential guidelines as needed to respond to the worsening situation.
The government head ordered immediate action as follows, to come into effect immediately:
- Suspend entry into Laos for citizens of countries with a community outbreak,
- Continued closure of traditional and local border crossings,
- Continued suspension of charter flights from foreign countries, except in essential cases permitted by the authorities.
The prime minister told the taskforce to improve standards at quarantine centres and provide more places of treatment, medicines, and equipment to handle emergency cases.
He called for members of the public to downsize wedding parties to restrict the number of participants. The government has placed a ban on concerts and other crowded gatherings. 
As the new year approaches, the premier advised people to celebrate at home with their families instead of going to large parties.
Members of the public were told to comply with virus prevention and control measures, including social distancing, the wearing of face masks, and regular hand washing.
Laos has successfully kept the virus outbreak at bay and has recorded only 41 cases, with four people currently under observation in hospital. No deaths have been reported.
This has been possible thanks to the active participation and cooperation of all sectors of society in observing prevention and control measures.
PM Thongloun thanked friendly countries and international organisations for their valuable support and assistance in helping Laos to respond to the pandemic.
Worldwide, more than 77.6 million people were confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19 as of December 22. More than 1.7 million people have died.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update December 23, 2020)