VIENTIANE, April 18 (Xinhua): VIENTIANE, April 18: The Laos capital, Vientiane, has avoided going into full lockdown, however, recent Covid-19 prevention measures will still apply, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, reports Laotian Times.
The notice states that while the capital will not go into lockdown, the Covid prevention measures outlined in previous notices issued by various ministries over the last few days will remain in effect.
“After investigation, contact tracing, and risk assessment following the activities of Case 50, it is the opinion of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control that the current situation can be contained, and therefore there will be no order to close the borders to entry and exit of Vientiane Capital, as this would negatively affect society, ” the notice reads.
Taskforces at every level are to continue monitoring the situation and implementing Covid-19 prevention measures in accordance with notices issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Taskforce.
Residents are being urged to avoid travel during this time, and all events and gatherings where social distancing cannot be maintained have been prohibited, while small, family weddings will be allowed.
Authorities in Laos ordered the temporary closure of all entertainment venues such as pubs and nightclubs across the country, which will remain in effect until the end of April.
The notice instructs Vientiane Capital authorities to coordinate with relevant authorities and issue further guidance for residents.
A 41-year-old Thai national was confirmed as the 50th case of Covid-19 in Laos, just a few days before Lao New Year celebrations were to begin. It is believed that the man may have entered the country illegally, and therefore could have restarted local transmission of the coronavirus in Vientiane.
So far those known to have had contact with the man have tested negative for Covid-19, according to the National Taskforce.
As of Saturday (April 18), Laos recorded four new cases of Covid-19, raising the total in the country to 58, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.
Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh told a press conference on Saturday that the four new cases include a 25-year-old woman who returned to southern Laos' Khammuan province from Thailand.
Another two cases are a 32-year-old man and a 24-year-old man who returned to southern Laos' Savannakhet province from Thailand.
The last case is a 25-year-old Lao woman who returned to central Laos' Bolikhamxay province from Thailand.
Laos has now confirmed 58 cases of Covid-19, with nine people undergoing treatment in hospitals.
The country reported its first two Covid-19 cases on March 24 last year. - Xinhua
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