Laos Could Introduce Fast-Track Immigration Policy This Week

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Wattay Airport Vientiane Immigration

Laos is expected to launch a fast-track immigration program this week that will allow Chinese nationals to enter the country with shorter quarantine times.

Vice-Chairman of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Phouthone Meuangpak, said on Wednesday that several new measures will be employed to facilitate travel for Chinese nationals while continuing to ensure protection against the coronavirus.

The length of the quarantine period remains under discussion with the taskforce meeting to make a decision this week.

According to the Vientiane Times, authorities are also considering the use of electronic devices that would monitor the location of incomers around-the-clock.

“One option is that they (new arrivals) quarantine at home and take their temperature every morning and evening,” Dr. Phouthone said at a press conference.

Under the current regulations, arrivals must be tested for Covid-19 72 hours prior to their departure for Laos. Those with negative results are eligible to enter the country. Upon their arrival, travelers are required to take another test.

Authorities are studying the possibility of a shorter quarantine period in line with guidance from the WHO.

“If the virus is not detected, people can quarantine at home,” the deputy minister said, saying that a shorter quarantine period would mean that new arrivals could begin work sooner.

The fast-track immigration program could be expanded to nationals of any country with no recent community outbreaks, according to the deputy minister.

“We will not take any risks,” said Dr. Phouthone.

He reiterated that the government’s aim was to safely re-open the country to reduce the economic impact, while at the same time ensuring strict measures to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Can you in more depth explain the statement in the article:

    “The fast-track immigration program could be expanded to nationals of any country with no recent community outbreaks, according to the deputy minister.”

    What is meant with “no recent community outbreaks”.
    Is Sweden a safe country?
    I have now been waiting for 8 months to visit my wife in Laos. This lockdown is a very cruel.
    The WHO has stated that lockdown is not a long-term solution.

    See the WHO briefing in this link.
    https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—21-august-2020.

    There is is a later statement from WHO about lockdown cited by abc.net.au/new/

    “WHO doctor calls on world leaders to use other control methods

    The latest discussion about strict lockdowns started after the WHO’s special envoy on COVID-19 said they should not be used as the primary method of control.

    Dr Nabarro made the statements in an interview with The Spectator.

    “The only time we believe a lockdown in justified is to buy you time to reorganise, regroup, rebalance your resources; protect your health workers who are exhausted,” Dr Nabarro said.

    “But by and large, we’d rather not do it.”Dr Nabarro told The Spectator the economic impact on small countries that rely on tourism and increased poverty levels are two major effects of shutting communities down.

    “We really do appeal to all world leaders, stop using lockdown as your primary method of control,” he said.

    “Lockdowns have just one consequence that you must never ever belittle, and that is making poor people an awful lot poorer.”

    While the statements by themselves seem to call for an end to lockdowns, the message is consistent with a piece written by Dr Nabarro days earlier.”

    Best Regards
    Anders Svensson
    Mobile: +465106638