Laos: Authorities continue to enforce restrictions as of May 2 due to COVID-19 /update 46

Event

Authorities continue to enforce varying restrictions as of May 2 due to COVID-19.

Domestic Measures
Public facilities, such as shopping malls, retail establishments, supermarkets, and sporting facilities, can operate with restrictions, like opening hour limits. Some educational institutions operate on site with health protocols, like ensuring that students do not share meals. People must wear facemasks and observe social distancing rules when in public, though the enforcement level varies across the country.

Local officials in some areas may implement stricter curbs, including suspending or requiring organizers of gatherings to obtain approval.

International Travel Restrictions
Tourist visas, visas on arrival, and standing visa exemptions from most international locations remain suspended. State and private entities may apply for entry approval for foreign essential workers, technical experts, and investors. The required documents for essential workers or technical experts include a letter of request and proof of the entity's tax payment and foreign worker employment quota permission, among others. The government also requires entities bringing in investors to submit an approval document from the immigration department and a letter of request from the relevant state agencies.

People who can enter Laos must present a vaccination certificate, provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, register via the Green Pass online portal, and download the LaoKYC application; if applicable, foreign nationals must also provide a valid entry visa. Travelers must undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine at a designated facility for 48 hours upon arrival. Passengers can depart the quarantine premises only after obtaining a negative result from the on-arrival test.

Tourists from several locations may enter Laos as part of the Green Travel Zone international travel reopening scheme. The locations include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the US, Thailand, and Vietnam. Travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival, have a health insurance policy with a coverage of at least USD 50,000, obtain a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure, and comply with the on-arrival testing and quarantine rules. Tourists under the program can visit the Green Travel Zones (vaccination rates of at least 70 percent) of Vientiane Capital, Luang Prabang Province, and Vientiane Province's Vang Vieng District, as well as the Green Travel Trails areas (vaccination rates of below 70 percent) of Champasack, Khammouane, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, and Xieng Khouang provinces. The entry points include Wattay International Airport (VTE) and First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane. The government may announce additional entry points or other localities as Green Travel Zones and Green Travel Trails areas in the coming weeks.

Officials allow some border checkpoints, including those with Thailand, to operate. Border checkpoints with China are closed due to the Chinese authorities' COVID-19 concerns.

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.