Large gatherings banned over Laos New Year as Covid-19 measures are further tightened

VIENTIANE, April 2 (Vientiane Times/ANN): The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control in Laos has banned large gatherings during Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) as part of enhanced measures to contain the escalating Covid-19 outbreak.

With the annual Pi Mai Lao festival scheduled to take place on April 14-16, the taskforce has called on people to limit activities to traditional events only, such as paying homage to Buddha images, pouring perfumed water on Buddha images, and holding bacis – the ritual ceremony held to dispel bad luck and offer good wishes.