VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Health authorities say that everyone entering Laos at Wattay International Airport must take a Covid test, meaning they must have a PCR test within 24 hours of departure for Laos as well as an RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) on arrival in Vientiane.
These measures are the same as those imposed in most other Asean countries.
It has been found that a PCR test carried out 24 hours before departure has not been sufficient to prevent the spread of Covid because infection is possible during flights.
Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, said on Tuesday that everyone entering Laos must undergo entry screening including a temperature check, as well as presenting the required documents to health control officials.
People whose RDT test result in negative may enter the country, while those who test positive will need to quarantine at a designated hotel.
New arrivals must go to prearranged accommodation or a medical facility to have the first day RT-PCR test as well as an RDT test upon arrival, Dr Rattanaxay said.
All travellers must wait for the test results in their hotel. If the result is positive, they must remain in isolation at their hotel (for mild or asymptomatic cases). A second Covid test will be given after day 3 of a person’s stay in Laos.
If the result is negative, the traveller can go ahead with their travel plans but if the result is positive, the traveller will be required to remain in quarantine for 14 days.
Tour operators are responsible for providing the necessary documents to obtain permission for a person’s entry. These include a proposal from the tour company, a tour itinerary, hotel reservations and copies of travellers’ passports, vaccination certificates and insurance policy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide authorisation for staff on diplomatic or consular missions, those working for international organisations, and representatives of foreign governments or agencies performing their duties in Laos. This authorisation will also extend to spouses, parents and children.
However, people in these categories must take a Covid test on arrival in Laos and remain at a hotel for 24 hours while awaiting the results. If the result is negative, the person concerned will be free to leave the hotel and take up their duties.
Although the government reopened Laos to foreign visitors in January, confusion remains about some of the entry requirements. A&K South-East Asia suggests waiting for further updates from the government for travel to Laos, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Travellers are allowed access to Green Travel Zones (areas with a vaccination rate of at least 70 percent) and Green Travel Trails (areas that have not yet achieved 70 per cent vaccination), according to the Ministry of Health.
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