Laos: Officials extend domestic COVID-19 lockdown restrictions through Oct. 30 /update 35

Event

Laos has extended COVID-19 business and gathering restrictions through Oct. 30 due to COVID-19 activity. Officials continue to ban nonessential gatherings. Individuals must wear a facemask in public and observe social distancing protocols. Meetings, conferences, weddings, funerals, and religious activities of more than 20 people are prohibited. Government agencies may operate with fully vaccinated workers and health protocols in place. Factories producing products like consumer and pharmaceutical goods outside a red zone may operate with health protocols in place, subject to authorities' approval; employees must be fully vaccinated. Businesses must implement telecommuting or flexible work arrangements.

Some classes of nonessential businesses, like beauty salons, tourist attractions, and night markets, must remain closed nationwide. Shopping malls, retail establishments, and supermarkets can operate with health measures in place. Food establishments in provinces without community spread may provide dine-in services with at least a 1-meter (3-feet) distance between tables. Schools remain suspended.

Authorities continue to categorize districts into red, yellow, and green zones in decreasing order of strictness of measures. Red and yellow zones are districts with at least one active COVID-19 case without and with successful contact tracing, respectively, while green zones are districts with no known active cases. Authorities limit the entry and exit of people into red zones unless they have official clearance. Stay-home rules are likely in effect in red zones, except for essential reasons, such as purchasing groceries, working in essential workplaces, or seeking medical care. Outdoor exercise in red zones is prohibited. Business conferences and meetings may take place in locations not designated as red zones; participants must be fully vaccinated.

Officials allow quarantine-free travel between provinces with no community spread of COVID-19. Travel between Vientiane and other provinces is suspended 22:00-05:00; exceptions are in place for emergencies, freight delivery, and official government work. Individuals may travel between Vientiane Capital or provinces with community spread, but must quarantine for 14 days and obtain permission from their destination province. Exemptions are in place for people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Foreigners who intend to travel to other provinces must submit a travel itinerary, proof of 14-day quarantine, and approval from the National COVID-19 task force to be exempted from quarantine at the destination province. Authorities may exempt foreigners from the requirements if they have resided in Laos for some time, though the exact duration remains unclear.

Lao Airlines (QV) is operating limited domestic flights to most major cities with health protocols in place. The controls reportedly include allowing only fully vaccinated passengers.

International Travel Restrictions
Tourist visas, visas-on-arrival, and standing visa exemptions remain suspended. All entrants require prior permission from the nearest Lao diplomatic mission at least seven days before arrival. Approved foreign travelers, such as diplomats, officials, essential workers, technical experts, and investors, may enter Laos. The government requires international arrivals to provide a valid entry visa, proof of entry authorization from the National COVID-19 Task Force (NTF), a negative result COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure for Laos, a completed health declaration form, and booking confirmation of a designated quarantine facility.

International arrivals must also have insurance coverage for COVID-19 treatment and other related expenses; travelers can obtain insurance coverage from international or local providers. Arrivals are subject to COVID-19 testing upon entry and 14-day quarantine at a designated facility. Individuals who intend to travel to another province must serve a 14-day quarantine period at a designated state-level facility and enter another 14-day quarantine period at a district-level facility. Foreign nationals leaving Laos must notify their country's embassy in the country to get permission from the local authorities on their behalf. Land border restrictions remain in place, except for cargo transport.

International flights are mostly limited to emergencies and repatriation. Authorities have banned charter flights from locations with active COVID-19 outbreaks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.