Three provinces order lockdowns in virus-affected villages

Authorities in Vientiane, Saravan and Champassak provinces have ordered lockdowns in villages deemed to be at risk of Covid-19 transmission, following new cases of the virus.
In Vientiane province, authorities have ordered a lockdown in the villages of Mai, Nalao, Phonthan, Phonkhamtay, Nongpoung, Sivilay and Nabon, all located in Phonhong district, where virus cases have been reported.
Other villages have been classified as yellow zones, namely Km52 and Phonngeun villages, as well as those bordering red zone villages. In these areas, entry and exit is banned except for essential reasons, a provincial official reported on July 6.

The lockdowns have been ordered after the government decided to extend a Prime Minister’s Order designed to control the Covid-19 outbreak for another 15 days until July 19.
In Phonhong district, officials will set up special centres to accommodate people who have contracted the virus or come in close contact with infected individuals, to prevent the spread of the virus.
In Saravan province, the villages of Thongchalern, Khongyai, Khongnoy and Khongnakhone in Khongxedon district have been closed off until July 31, after a new case was identified.
Authorities will set up checkpoints on roads, local residents may not leave these villages and other people must not enter them unless essential, according to a report in the Saravan newspaper on July 5.
In addition, eight villages nearby will also have travel restrictions imposed. Entry and exit will be banned 9pm until 5am unless essential, but written permission must be obtained from village officials.
In Champassak province, government officials living in red and yellow zones must not go to work in their offices, while those living in green zones can go to work but must follow the Covid-19 prevention rules.
Provincial authorities have ordered people not to enter or leave at-risk villages, the Champamai newspaper reported on July 6.
Schools located in communities that have reported cases of the virus have been temporarily closed except for boarding schools. Schools located in districts where no cases of the virus have been reported may remain open but must comply with government guidelines on virus prevention.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control reported 44 new Covid-19 cases on July 7, bringing the total number recorded in Laos to 2,400.
Vientiane province recorded two new cases, Vientiane recorded one imported case, Savannakhet recorded 17 imported cases, Champassak recorded 21 imported cases, and Khammuan recorded three imported cases.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update July 8, 2021)