VIENTIANE, Oct 24 (Vientaine Times/ANN): Xekong, Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces are strengthening virus control measures and maintaining lockdowns in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19.
In Xekong, a lockdown is in force until November 4. Authorities are attempting to trace people who have come into contact with others known to have contracted Covid, so they can also be tested for the virus.
Meetings and gatherings of all kinds are banned. People may not enter Xekong for the purposes of a meeting or to attend a funeral, while residents of Xekong are forbidden to attend funerals in other provinces.
In Bokeo, a lockdown is in place until October 30, with travel between districts and other provinces banned between the hours of 11pm and 6am, except for a hospital visit or in the event of an emergency, with permission first to be obtained from the provincial Covid-19 taskforce.
People who break the rules on travel will be fined 100,000 kip for a first offence and 300,000 kip for a second offence and will also have their driving licence confiscated.
People who enter or leave a virus-risk zone without permission from provincial authorities will be fined 1 million kip for a first offence and 2 million kip for a second offence.
Businesses that remain open in breach of the rules will be fined 1 million kip for a first offence and 3 to 5 million kip for a second offence, and the business will be closed.
In Luang Namtha, travel into and out of the province is banned as well as between all districts in the province until further notice, except in the case of an emergency such as a hospital visit. However, anyone wishing to travel must get permission from provincial authorities.
Goods vehicles may enter the province, but drivers and anyone else travelling in the vehicle must have had two doses of a Covid vaccine and must comply with the standard virus control measures.
After delivering goods in Luang Namtha, drivers and those accompanying them must leave the province immediately and not visit any relatives. - Vientiane Times/ANN
