Laos to reopen to tourists on Jan 1, 2022

File picture of tourists at an elephant camp in Noi, Luang Prabang. Laos plans to reopen to tourists on Jan 1, 2022. - The Star

VIENTIANE (Xinhua): The Lao government on Thursday (Dec16) announced that it would reopen for visitors starting from Jan 1, 2022.

According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, the government has approved the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan that would allow tourists to visit provinces and cities designated as "green zones" once the country reopens.

The notice states that an official announcement will be made on Dec 17 outlining the official reopening plan, and has set Jan 1, 2022, as the date when the country reopens to tourism.

The decision came after a number of lengthy meetings held between tourism stakeholders and a government taskforce set up specifically to assist with reopening.

As of Thursday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Laos reached 94,554 with 262 deaths.

Laos reported its first two confirmed Covid-19 cases on March 23 last year.