Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has advised all citizens of Laos to practice self-isolation and social distancing to better protect themselves and each other.
Laos Confirms First Covid-19 Cases
Updated: March 24, 2020 (22:01)
Laos has confirmed its first two cases of the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
Laos Only ASEAN Nation Yet To Confirm Covid-19
Laos is now the only remaining ASEAN nation yet to report a confirmed case of Covid-19 infection following Myanmar’s announcement of two cases.
Defense Against COVID-19, Crying Man – This Week in Social Media
Here is an updated list of some of the most shared topics in the Lao social media this past week, based on reach and engagement on Facebook.
Mittaphab Hospital Prepares for COVID-19
These pictures of depicting the high-quality facilities of the new Mittaphab Hospital and 103 Hospital in Vientiane Capital quickly spread through Lao social media after a Thai news anchor angered Lao netizens when he cast aspersions on the Lao health system and its preparedness to defend against the pandemic.
Saved By The Tears
A man sits on the ground next to Lao police at an unknown traffic checkpoint crying. He is let off with a warning.
“Did you have a fight with your wife?” says the policeman. “I’ll let you off this time, go on. Don’t cry.”
Lao Labour Returns Home From Thailand
Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Khampheng Saysompheng is at the Vientiane-Nongkhai border, assessing the situation as over 500 Lao workers (who are destined to 12 provinces) are returning from Thailand. Lao authorities have set up camps outside the Thannaleng train station to screen for the possibility of infected persons.
The clip was taken on March 23 (15:00).
Lao authorities are also planning to requisition vacant schools around the country to quarantine the labor migrants who have recently returned.
Another clip of hundreds of Lao returnees waiting anxiously at the Thai side of the 2nd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, linking Moukdahan to Savannakhet also garnered a huge number of views. The sheer volume and proximity of people in relation to others, many of whom do not have masks, is highly concerning.
Here is another video clip of Lao immigration police handling a situation of returning Lao workers.
Thousands of Lao Laborers Working in Thailand Return Home
Thousands of Lao laborers working in Thailand have swamped border checkpoints, hoping to return home before borders officially close.
Laos Enters De Facto Lockdown Amid Global Coronavirus Outbreak
Laos is poised to enter a de facto lockdown as borders, entry and exit points begin to close across the country, with Lao citizens prohibited from leaving.
Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation Donate Medical Supplies to 10 More Asian Nations
The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation today announced plans to donate much-needed medical supplies to 10 more countries in Asia to help the global fight against COVID-19.
The governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will receive from the two foundations a donation totaling 1.8 million masks, 210,000 COVID-19 test kits, 36,000 pieces of protective clothing, as well as essential medical equipment and supplies that include ventilators and forehead thermometers.
“Go Asia! We will donate emergency supplies to 10 more countries across Asia,” said Jack Ma, who announced the latest foundation pledges through his Twitter account. “Delivering fast is not easy, but we’ll get it done!”
Delivery of the donations will leverage the robust capabilities of the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) to overcome the significant logistical and transportation challenge presented by the vast number of countries and their geographical remoteness.
“The epidemic outbreak has brought about challenges to global logistics. With the help of eWTP, we’re trying our best to ensure speedy transport and delivery to move the supplies to remote communities where they are most needed,” said Juntao Song, Secretary-General of eWTP.
Earlier this week, the two foundations announced donations of medical supplies to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines that also leveraged eWTP’s strong logistics capability for speedy and reliable transportation and delivery. eWTP has a mandate to empower global SMEs to realize their full economic potential through reducing trade barriers and making it easier for them to participate in global trade.
Thai News Anchor Apologizes to Laos For Deep Offense
Thai news anchor Judd Thima of Channel One31 of Thailand publically apologized to the government and people of Laos for having insulted the country and tarnished the reputation of its health system on public television.
