Laos conducts testing of 85 suspected Covid-19 cases

The Lao State News Agency (KPL) reported that Dr. Rattanaxay Phetsuvanh, Director of the Department of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Public Health of Laos, said that as of today (March 18), Laos has not had any positive cases of Covid-19.

Laos has detected 85 cases with symptoms of acute respiratory disease and suspected Covid-19. Lao authorities have tested and collected samples, of which 81 cases have tested negative, while 4 cases are still being monitored. According to Dr. Rattanaxay Phetsuvanh, however, suspected cases are still increasing because Laos has not closed all border gates and international airports.

Also today, the Lao State News Agency (KPL) reported the Government's assessment that the Covid-19 epidemic situation is developing very complicatedly in the world, which also makes the Lao Party, Government and People extremely concerned. Especially now, many electronic pages are still posting a lot of unofficial information, causing confusion among the people.

Interface of Lao National News Agency.

This news agency reported that since the outbreak of the epidemic in China, the Lao Party and Government have always promoted epidemic prevention and control work; directed functional ministries such as Health, Foreign Affairs and Education and Sports to issue relevant documents, giving specific instructions on epidemic prevention and control work at key locations such as Vat-tay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang-pra-bang International Airport, in the ancient capital of Luang-pha-bang and many other international border gates. Along with that, direct the official press and media agencies of the Party and State as well as the information pages of the ministries and branches to focus on propaganda, widely and publicly explaining, making people aware of the dangerous nature as well as the epidemic situation in the world to join hands and hearts to fight the epidemic. In the immediate future, mobilize people to promote environmental sanitation and find many measures to prevent the epidemic.

The Lao government has also established a special working group to direct epidemic prevention and control, directly addressing and handling the spread of Covid-19. The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports have also made many efforts to closely monitor and support prevention for Lao students in China in general and Wuhan in particular. Currently, Laos has more than 7,000 international students studying and researching in China, so it is necessary to do a good job of management during the current epidemic spread period, to ensure safety for everyone as well as not infect others.

In a news release on March 17, Lao National Radio reported that Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisulith has ordered the tightening of management of agencies and individuals who have people traveling on business trips to any country, especially countries with epidemics. Directing the Governor of Vientiane, along with the Provincial Governors, local administrative committees and people of all ethnic groups across the country to temporarily suspend traditional festivals, weddings, opening ceremonies, as well as activities with large numbers of participants. Including the suspension of the National Sports Festival scheduled to be held in Xiengkhuang province. Travel companies across the country are advised to postpone tours to affected countries and postpone tours from epidemic countries to Laos during this period. The Lao Government also notified international representative agencies, embassies of countries in the Lao PDR as well as business owners, owners of public and private investment projects, and foreign employees working in Laos to follow instructions and strengthen coordination with local authorities to raise awareness of Covid-19 prevention and control.

Regarding this issue, two days earlier, mainstream Lao newspapers such as KPL, Pasaxon, National Television and Lao National Radio simultaneously reported that Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vice President of Laos Phankham Viphavanh signed a document directing the suspension of rallies to celebrate important days of the Party and the country.

At the same time, the District Chief of Chanthabouli District, Vientiane Capital, decided to stop all activities towards the traditional Lao New Year (Bun-pi-may, Lao water festival in mid-April).

The Secretary of the Chairman of Paklai District, Xaynhabouli Province, also ordered the suspension of the ghost festival. Phonhong District, Vientiane Province, ordered the suspension and ban of New Year festivals, weddings, opening ceremonies, and other mass activities with many participants. Laos also ordered the closure of 10 traditional border gates and only 4 border gates remain open: Namsoi, Bandan, Pahang, and Somvang to prevent and control the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Also today, KPL Newspaper reported that on March 17, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisulith instructed the Ministry of Education and Sports to temporarily close schools, childcare centers and primary schools. Study the temporary closure of secondary schools, universities and colleges nationwide. Direct the Government's Special Task Force to strictly manage people entering and exiting the country at border gates, especially those coming from countries with epidemics or passing through epidemic areas. In case of detecting suspected or infected people, they will be taken to central hospitals such as Mahosot, Setthathirat, Friendship Hospital, Hospital 103 in Vientiane and all provincial hospitals nationwide. People entering Laos will be quarantined for 14 days at the above hospitals or self-quarantine according to instructions.

On the same day, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith inspected the Lao-Thai Friendship Border Gate 1; visited the 103 Central Hospital, the 150-bed Hospital and Vat Tay International Airport to review epidemic prevention and control work and immigration work./.