Regional countries easing countermeasures as COVID-19 gradually under control.

Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - In order to bring the country into a new normal, Laos has begun to allow garment factories that meet COVID-19 prevention and control requirements to resume operations.

Accordingly, these factories must be assessed by the National Committee for assessing pandemic control and the level of risk of COVID-19 infection before reopening. Factories in the red zone that want to reopen must have dormitories for workers right on the factory premises.

Previously, some factories had to close due to recording new outbreaks with hundreds of COVID-19 cases. According to the Lao Garment Industry Association, factories that are allowed to reopen this time must ensure measures on labour safety and epidemic prevention according to regulations of the Ministry of Health. They must bear full responsibility if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs.

To date, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Laos has reached 26,876, including 23 deaths. Currently, the country is trying to ensure adequate supply of care and treatment services for patients with COVID-19, while encouraging localities, organisations and emergency medical teams to respond to pandemic developments. In addition, Laos is also considering allowing people with mild cases of COVID-19 to self-isolate and receive treatment at home.

On October 7, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri confirmed that the country is applying flexible regulations in granting entry permits.

He said that the decision to grant entry permits for foreigners is based on six factors, including the number of COVID-19 cases in 14 days in the country of the applicant for entry, the rate of COVID-19 cases per million population, mortality rate per million population, cumulative mortality rate, recovery index and total number of infections in the respective countries.

Currently, Malaysia only allows people who have completed their vaccinations, yet tourists. The government will decide to open the border after consulting the Ministry of Health based on risk assessments. PM Ismail added that his government has taken many preparation steps and decided to relax the distancing measures in a cautious and balanced manner, prioritising economic recovery./.

VNA