Govt orders tougher action to control Covid outbreak, outlines urgent tasks for April

The government has ordered all relevant sectors to do more to bring the Covid-19 outbreak under control amid the recent spike in infections.
The cabinet issued the instruction at its two-day monthly meeting for March which ended on Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone.
The number of Covid infections has significantly increased in recent days, forcing some state departments to re-introduce work-from-home measures.  

However, the meeting resolved to continue to keep schools open, while encouraging students to get vaccinated.
Meeting participants were told to explore ways to regulate the price of goods, especially oil, which has undergone frequent increases in recent weeks.
Authorities were also told to place more importance on ensuring financial stability, while digitalising payment systems in an attempt to ensure transparent practices.
The government has called for action to ensure food security amid the rising cost of living.
The ministries involved were asked to continue to push for the construction of phase II of the Laos-Thailand railway, expressways and logistics parks, in order to bolster the economy. In addition, state departments were told to fulfil the government’s digital economy promotion policy.
To attract more private investment, the cabinet called for further action to improve the business environment, while maximising revenue by expanding the digitalised revenue collection system.
In addition, the meeting underlined the need to allocate more funding to fulfil socio-economic development goals.
The cabinet also ordered the preparation of Lao athletes for competition in the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be held in Vietnam in May.
In addition, the meeting discussed and adopted in principle a newly-drafted law on the management of weapons and explosive objects, as well as draft amendments to the law on water and water resources.
Draft amendments to a presidential order on product list and tariff rates, and draft amendments to a prime ministerial decree on receipts were also endorsed.
Three newly-drafted decrees on honorary citizenship, a mediation office for private business disputes, and service fees for business dispute mediators were also passed in principle.
In addition, the meeting adopted in principle a draft national strategy on unexploded ordnance.       

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 23, 2022)