COVID-19: Laos loosens social distancing measures

Laos has loosened a number of social distancing measures across the country and allowed COVID-19-free localities to re-open tourist sites amid the eased pandemic situation in the country.
COVID-19: Laos loosens social distancing measures ảnh 1COVID-19 vaccination in Vientiane (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Laos has loosened a number ofsocial distancing measures across the country and allowed COVID-19-freelocalities to re-open tourist sites amid the eased pandemic situation in thecountry.

However, the country maintains ban on sale of alcohol drinks, whilepeople are requested to implement pandemic prevention and control regulations.

Historical relic sites, ecotourism areas and other touristsites in Luang Prabang have been allowed to receive tourists. Meanwhile, sportactivities have been resumed.

In Vientiane province, people receiving permit can conductfishing in rivers from 8am to 6pm. Tourist sites and service facilities havebeen re-opened but they do not sell alcohol drinks.
         
In Oudomxay, local authorities have allowed the reopening of hotels, motels andresorts, along with schools and ecotourism areas.
 
In Vientiane capital city where there are still COVID-19cases in community, hair and beauty salons have resumed operations but withoutshaving and face massage services. Night markets are allowed to open until10pm. However, tourist sites and restaurants have yet to receive permission tore-open.

In order to prevent the risk of COVID-19 from the outside,especially through people entering the country, pandemic prevention forces in Laolocalities along the border with Thailand have strengthened waterway patrols along the Mekong River.

Local authorities have encouraged people to report suspectsof illegal entry from Thailand through the river.

Earlier, Laos had found a number of people trying to enterthe country illegally as they failed to show enough legal documents and wanted toavoid quarantine. This has posed threats of COVID-19 outbreak in the community.

At the same time, Lao Airlines has announced to resumedomestic air routes from June 25 after more than two months of suspension due to impacts of COVID-19.
  
According to the Laos’ Ministry of Health, as of June 22noon, the Southeast Asian country confirmed 13 new COVID-19 cases, raising the national count to 2,067, including two found in the community in Vientiane and 11 imported cases./.
VNA

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