Photo: jclao.com Hanoi (VNA) - The Lao Government is temporarily reopening some local and customary border crossings in a bid to revive the economy and minimise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the English-language newspaper of Laos, Vientiane Times, reported on October 26.
The move is part of government efforts to balance the imposition of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 with the easing of restrictions to enable businesses to import and export goods, the newspaper cited the Lao PDR Trade Portal.
The lifting of certain restrictions would not only allow improved cross-border trade between four provinces in Laos and its neighbouring countries, but also help businesses lower their production costs and overcome the challenges facing them, and recovering the country’s economy.
The opened ones include the Nongmar customary border crossing in Khammuan province, Ban Vang local border crossing in Vientiane province, Thasa-ath customary border crossing in Borikhamxay province, and the Panghay local border crossing in Luang Namtha province.
Notably, the Panghay border crossing will reopen from November 1 until June 30 next year to aid trade between Laos and China.
In Laos, goods are mainly imported and exported through international border crossings which are equipped with the necessary facilities and personnel to screen and identify anyone carrying the virus.
To date, Laos has reported 24 COVID-19 cases, with no deaths./.
VNA
