Bokeo speeds up Covid testing 

Bokeo provincial authorities plan to ramp up Covid testing for people who have come into contact with individuals known to be infected, following another outbreak of the virus in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
On August 16 and 17, 42 people in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone tested positive for the virus.
In addition, all workers employed at Zone in Tonpheung district will be tested before they return to their country of origin.
The provincial Covid-19 taskforce has also ordered a lockdown until August 30 after locally-transmitted cases were identified in the area.

Authorities will also inspect buildings in the Special Economic Zone where people have been living during the lockdown.
If some of the buildings housed people with Covid-19, the business will be temporarily closed and all workers in the building will be tested for the virus.
Those who test positive will be taken to a hospital for observation or treatment, the Bokeo newspaper reported on August 17.
All buildings must be kept clean while all places of entry and exit must have hand sanitiser and face masks available for use by staff and workers.
Bokeo provincial authorities are also engaged in talks with central authorities about various issues involving people employed in the Special Economic Zone.
Problems have arisen because information concerning workers has been inadequately documented, while illegal immigration remains unresolved. There are also other problems that place Bokeo at risk of a further virus outbreak, which are being investigated by central authorities.
On Wednesday the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced 381 new cases of Covid-19 countrywide, bringing the total to 11,029.
Vientiane recorded 32 new imported cases and one locally-transmitted case, while Tonpheung district in Bokeo province recorded one locally-transmitted case.
Borikhamxay reported one imported case, while Khammuan recorded 146 imported cases and two locally-transmitted cases.
Savannakhet recorded 108 imported cases and 44 locally-transmitted cases, Saravan recorded one imported case, and Champassak recorded 45 imported cases.
To slow the virus outbreak, the government is rolling out the vaccination programme as quickly as possible in the hope of immunising 50 percent of the population by the end of this year.
People who have been vaccinated are encouraged to continue to comply with the virus prevention measures laid down by the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, especially with regard to social distancing.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 19, 2021)