People call for disinfectant spraying to prevent Covid-19 

People are calling for disinfectant spraying teams to sanitise more areas because they fear Covid-19 could endanger their lives.

Residents of many villages have called Vientiane Rescue 1623 to send disinfectant spraying teams, run by the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of Laos, to their areas.

A man working with a spraying team told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that the team is working to disinfect villages, offices and people's homes. 

The Ministry of Health has announced a ban on the use of Covid-19 mobile disinfectant chambers that use water with chlorine to kill germs in hospitals.

This was done because studies and research conducted in China showed this method doesn't work for the new Coronavirus. 

However, the man from the disinfectant spraying team under Vientiane Rescue 1623 explained there is a difference between Covid-19 mobile disinfectant chambers and spraying teams.

The portable chamber has a mist sprayer with chlorine, through which sanitiser is sprayed on people in hospitals.

The spraying team walk through locations and buildings to spray disinfectant, and nothing is sprayed on the human body, he said.

The Foundation for Assisting Poor People of Laos uses both methods, he said. One is done using a disinfectant from China and the other uses chlorine, he added. 

In addition, people are not allowed into the area being sprayed by the team. About 30 minutes after the spraying is completed, people can enter the area. 

"The spraying is done free of charge. But people can donate if they wish," the man said.

The donations will be used to carry out disinfecting spraying at more locations.

Disinfectant spraying has been done in some villages of Vientiane to protect residents during the Coronavirus outbreak. 

Last week, spraying was done in Xiengda village of Saysettha district, and this week, the team has been called in by the authorities of Khamgnoy village in Vientiane.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update April 7, 2020)