Vientiane orders closure of non-essential goods shops, supermarkets

Several hundred cases of the virus have been reported daily in recent days, prompting Lao authorities to impose more restrictions.

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Vientiane authorities have ordered shops and markets that sell items that are not absolutely essential to close until Sept 30, as an additional measure to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

The capital’s Department of Industry and Commerce has issued an instruction on the closure of retail outlets, which comes into force Monday (Sept 20).