Security staff wearing protective masks sit next to an X-ray scanner at the entrance to the venue where China and Asean foreign ministers held a summit on Covid-19 in Vientiane on Feb 20, 2020. - AFP
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - Health authorities have told state departments to consider suspending or postponing overseas working trips by their civil servants to countries where the Covid-19 has been reported, as the virus spreads further afield.
Although there is still no confirmed case of the virus in Laos, the health authorities are taking no chances, and have impose several strict prevention measures.
In essential cases of travel, civil servants must strictly comply with the control measures imposed by their host country and, upon their return, abide by the measures imposed by the local health authorities.
The Task Force Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Monday (March 2) issued five announcements concerning tougher prevention measures.
The committee told tour operators not to organise package tours to countries where an outbreak has been reported until the virus is under control.
“Travel to countries where an outbreak has been reported poses a high risk of infection and the spread (of the virus) into our country, ” the committee said in an announcement.
It also prohibited group tours from outbreak countries from entering Laos for the time being until the virus is contained.
The committee called for representatives of international organisations and embassies to Laos, especially those from outbreak countries, to cooperate with Lao authorities at international ports of entry with regard to temperature and other checks.
People found with no virus symptoms are required to self-monitor for 14 days. But anyone with symptoms of the virus – flu, coughing and breathing difficulties - will be taken to a hospital for observation and testing.
Similarly, the committee called for cooperation from local and foreign private and state business operators and investment projects, especially those whose employees come from outbreak countries, when it comes to scanning at ports of entry into Laos.
Those with no Covid-19 symptoms are still required to self-monitor in a restricted area for a period of 14 days.
The Lao Task Force Committee also called for the possible suspension or postponement of any traditional event, party or activity and restricting the number of participants to avoid crowded gatherings and so prevent transmission of the virus.
It is also suggested that any sporting activity or competition be postponed until the outbreak is under control.
If cancellation or postponement is unavoidable, event organisers must impose prevention measures such as scanning the temperature of participants and anyone with Covid-19 symptoms must not be allowed to participate. - The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Netwo
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