People wear face masks to avoid COVID-19 infections in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA) This is also thehighest daily number of COVID-19 cases so far in Laos, marking the thirdstraight day with the infections topping 1,000. The new cases on November 18increased 328 from the previous day, including 10 imported ones and the restbeing community transmissions in 17 provinces and cities.
The Lao Ministry ofHealth also announced four more deaths from the coronavirus disease, raisingthe total fatalities to 116.
Facing that fact, theministry is promoting the vaccination programme so as to achieve a vaccine coveragerate necessary for reopening.
In efforts to reopenthe country, the Lao Government is planning to permit fully vaccinated touriststo enter the country under a green zone travel plan.
This plan is set tobegin in January 2022, with the first “green zones” expected to includeVientiane capital, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang, which have safety conditionsfor tourists and travel service suppliers.
To be designated as “green”tourism zones, localities must have at least 70 - 80 percent of theirpopulation and 90 - 95 percent of service providers vaccinated againstCOVID-19./.
VNA
