Prohibited activities outlined for Lao New Year and beyond

A number of activities that risk spreading Covid-19 have been banned during Lao New Year and until April 30, including concerts, live music shows and all open-air performances.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism on Monday issued a notice imposing the ban, especially during the annual Pi Mai Lao festival scheduled for April 14-16.
The notice bans these activities at temples, tourist sites, food gardens, water parks, resorts, restaurants and riversides and their nearby areas.
The ban comes as Laos faces an escalating Covid-19 outbreak, which has seen the number of new cases reported each day to more than one or two thousand in recent weeks.

There is fear that the number of cases could rise even further during Pi Mai Lao, when people get together to celebrate the annual festive event.
The ministry has ordered its subordinate bodies, including provincial Departments of Information, Culture and Tourism, to enforce the notice.
Authorities in the provinces and Vientiane have also issued notices imposing various prohibitions over Lao New Year.
Vientiane authorities have banned state, private and civil organisations from holding well-wishing ceremonies, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid in the capital, where the virus has hit the hardest.
The Miss Lao New Year for Vientiane (Nang Sang Khan) contest and the Nang Sang Khan parade around the city, which is a highlight of the celebrations in Vientiane, is one of the customary events that has been banned by the capital’s authorities. 
In addition, people have been instructed not to ride vehicles through the streets with the intention of throwing water. Throwing water mixed with colour and dirty water at each other is also banned. Vientiane authorities have also banned the use of fireworks, the playing of loud music, and drunk driving.The prohibitions announced by the various ministries and provinces came after the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control also issued an order prohibiting large gatherings.
The taskforce told ministries and local authorities to introduce special measures to keep the virus in check, depending on the circumstances in their locality. Central and local authorities have advised that Lao New Year activities should be kept simple and limited to traditional events only, such as paying homage to Buddha images, pouring perfumed water on Buddha images, and holding bacis – the ritual ceremony held to dispel bad luck and offer good wishes.
In addition, wearing skimpy and inappropriate clothing, as well as inappropriate behaviour in temples and other sacred and public places, is prohibited.
The authorities have also ordered the continuing closure of entertainment venues, including karaoke clubs.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 5, 2022)