World

Laos, Cambodia move to curb COVID-19 spread during new year festival

COVID-19 cases are projected to surge during Laos’ traditional new year festival in mid-April, the country’s Ministry of Health warned.
Laos, Cambodia move to curb COVID-19 spread during new year festival ảnh 1A COVID-19 vaccination site in Laos (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – COVID-19 cases are projected tosurge during Laos’ traditional new year festival in mid-April, the country’sMinistry of Health warned.

The Omicron variant continues to wreak havoc in the country,putting pressure on the health sector, the Health Ministry said.

The Lao government has ordered to not hold public events celebratingthe new year. People are urged to closely followpreventive measures and receive vaccine jabs.

COVID-19 infections in Laos surged to 2,183 in the past 24hours, with Vientiane capital being the epicentre with 1,132 cases, the Health Ministryannounced on March 29. The country reported daily caseload of more than 1,000on previous days.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has re-instated COVID-19 rapid testingfor workers returning from Thailand, the Ministry of Health stated on March 29,a move to contain the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants as the traditionalnew year festival is nearing.

At present, more than 1,000 Cambodian labourers fromThailand are staying in quarantine in border regions.

The country has scrapped air travel restrictions like RT-PCRtesting before flying to Cambodia, and resumed visa issuance for arrivals asCambodia is stepping up economic recovery.

The Cambodian Health Ministry will work with Thai border localitiesto effectively curb COVID-19 infections.

Workers who have yet to be inoculated will be quarantinedand people testing negative for COVID-19 will receive vaccine shots at the border./.

VNA
#COVID-19 #Laos’ traditional new year festival #public events #Cambodia #vietnamplus #vietnam news agency Cambodia Laos
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Laos face third wave of COVID-19

Laos face third wave of COVID-19

The National Taskforce for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Laos has announced that the country is facing a third wave of coronavirus infections.

See more

Indonesia restarts research reactor after nearly 14 years.

Indonesia restarts research reactor after nearly 14 years

Under its national energy development plan, Indonesia aims to commission its first nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of about 500 MW in the early 2030s, before expanding nuclear generation to 7-8 GW in the 2040s and 35-37 GW by the 2060s to diversify energy supplies and meet growing electricity demand.

An article published on July 9, 2026 by Auto Plus, one of France's leading automotive magazines, gives a positive assessment of VinFast's VF 2 mini electric car. (Photo published by VNA)

French magazine highlights VinFast's rapid growth

According to L'Automobile, VinFast sold 115,916 vehicles in the first six months of 2026, its highest figure since the company began operations. The result also made VinFast the first Vietnamese automaker to surpass 100,000 vehicle sales in the first half of a year.

Thailand–EU FTA talks advance in Brussels

Thailand–EU FTA talks advance in Brussels

The two sides agreed to expedite FTA negotiations and work toward resolving outstanding issues in agricultural products, industrial goods, government procurement, energy and raw materials, digital trade, and regulatory matters, including intellectual property.

Indonesia attracts 5.8 billion USD in foreign inflows after rate hikes

Indonesia attracts 5.8 billion USD in foreign inflows after rate hikes

Data from the central bank showed that after recording net foreign outflows in the first quarter of 2026, Indonesia's government bond market rebounded with net inflows of 17.7 trillion IDR. Meanwhile, cumulative foreign investment in Bank Indonesia Rupiah Securities reached 174 trillion IDR.

Firefighters strive to extinguish a forest fire in Kampar of Indonesia's Riau province on July 20, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia strengthens forest fire prevention mechanisms

Under the approach, competent agencies will review existing regulations, strengthen inspections of fire prevention and firefighting systems, and implement measures including weather modification through cloud seeding, monitoring water levels in peatland areas, and pre-positioning personnel and equipment in high-risk locations.

Malaysia moves to enact landmark climate change law

Malaysia moves to enact landmark climate change law

Once passed, the bill will make Malaysia the second ASEAN country, after the Philippines, to enact a dedicated climate change law, and the 60th country in the world to have a standalone legal framework in this area.

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid announced on July 14 that the new strategy marks a shift from focusing primarily on blocking gambling websites to a more comprehensive approach targeting the entire criminal ecosystem.

Passengers at the international airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand adjusts visa policy to balance tourism and security

The adjustments aim to ensure that entry facilitation measures for foreign visitors reflect current circumstances while closing security loopholes, preventing misuse, and reducing overlapping entitlements under the principle of “one country, one entitlement”.

​Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadew (Photo: VNA)

S&P retains Indonesia's BBB credit rating with stable outlook

According to S&P, Indonesia's economic fundamentals remain solid thanks to prudent fiscal and monetary policies, political stability, relatively low public debt compared with other countries in the same rating category, and positive medium-term growth prospects.