Bokeo calls for more curbs, funds, manpower to support Covid battle

Northwestern Bokeo province, which has taken the second biggest hit from Covid-19 after Vientiane, has called on higher authorities to impose tighter curbs on the movements of foreign nationals in a bid to contain the outbreak in the province.
The province made the request during a videoconference on Monday, which was chaired by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and attended by members of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and provincial taskforces.

Bokeo provincial Governor Dr Buakhong Nammavong asked the national taskforce to suspend the movement of and issuance of (immigration permits) for foreign nationals, according to the Bokeo Newspaper.
The request comes as the province, which is home to a special economic zone where foreign businesses employ a large number of foreign workers, is struggling to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.
The province has recorded many new cases in recent days, making it the area second hardest hit by the pandemic after Vientiane.
On Tuesday, Bokeo recorded 26 new cases the highest number out of all the provinces and Vientiane on that day bringing the total number of cases in Bokeo to 454. Vientiane has recorded 812 cases since the start of the pandemic.
In light of the surge in the number of infections, the governor asked the Ministry of Health to send more medical staff to supplement local officials fighting the outbreak, especially in the Golden Triangle special economic zone where 345 people were known to have contracted the virus as of May 17.
This number includes 199 Lao nationals, 95 Chinese, 41 Myanmar nationals, nine Thais, and a Vietnamese, according to the province’s newspaper.
Dr Buakhong also asked for more money to finance activities to stem the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Xaysomboun province, Major General Khamlieng Uthakaisone, asked the government to provide Covid-19 test equipment and more vaccines.
Following discussions and proposals by local authorities, Prime Minister Phankham directed authorities in charge to acquire more Covid-19 vaccines for distribution to the provinces and to accelerate the country’s inoculation programme.
As of May 16, a total of 533,172 people had received a first dose of the vaccine, while 90,405 people had been given a second dose.
The prime minister suggested that funds should be allocated appropriately for essential spending.
After some provinces had asked central authorities to provide them with additional medical staff, the premier told authorities in charge to prepare sufficient personnel, especially medical staff, to effectively cope with the outbreak.
With some local authorities, including those in Bokeo province, demanding tougher restrictions in certain areas, PM Phankham suggested that authorities in charge assess which restrictions under the current lockdown could be eased, and which should be tightened in accordance with changing circumstances.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of Covid-19 prevention and control measures, especially those introduced under Prime Minister’s Order No. 15.   

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update May 19, 2021)