Taskforce canvasses public opinion on full reopening of Laos

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control is seeking input from people of all walks of life, including foreign nationals, over the proposed reopening of the country’s borders to all Lao and foreign citizens.
The taskforce issued a notice on April 29 soliciting opinions from all state and business entities and the general public, including foreign expatriates in Laos, on the proposed move.
Comments can be sent in writing to the taskforce’s secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office or online at www.laogov.gov.la, www.covid-19.gov.la, the Facebook page of the Centre of Information and Education for Health, or emailed to info@mict.gov.la or cabinet@mict.gov.la before May 3.
People wanting to voice an opinion should address the following proposals:
Reopen all international border crossings to both Lao and foreign citizens.
Citizens of countries that have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreement with Laos can enter Laos without applying for a visa.
Citizens of countries having not signed visa waiver agreements with Laos can apply for a visa online or on arrival at border crossings where such service is available.
Travellers who have not been fully vaccinated should obtain a Covid-19 RT PCR certificate issued within 72 hours of departure. Fully vaccinated travellers must provide a Covid-19 ATK (rapid test) certificate. No tests will be carried out at airports or at land or water borders upon arrival.
Foreigners entering Laos must have purchased Covid-19 insurance coverage of US$10,000, except for those entering on a border pass or temporary border pass. Upon arrival, travellers can use any form of transport so long as Covid-19 prevention and control measures are strictly observed.
Entities regulated by the taskforce in charge of facilitating passenger and freight transport should coordinate with the relevant sectors to consider measures to ease entry into Laos.
Agree in principle to allow private [clinics] to provide testing and treatment in relation to Covid-19.
The health sector makes full preparations to provide testing and treatment services.
The final version of the proposal will be submitted to the government for consideration and approval.
The proposed reopening of Laos follows a decline in the number of infections and deaths from Covid-19, while there is an urgent need to revitalise the economy, the taskforce said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 3, 2022)