Lockdown extended in Laos as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

The Lao government on Thursday announced an extension of COVID-19 restrictive measures for a further two weeks as cases continued to increase.

Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Office Thipphakone Chanthavongsa told a press conference in the Lao capital Vientiane that the government is making every effort to lower the rate of infection and death in the country.

The Lao government also hopes to guide the people in transitioning their lives to the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The transition to the new normal way of life in Laos must be in accordance with the conditions and situation in the country, with the government taking lessons and advice from friendly nations around the world, and listening to the voice of the Lao people.

The COVID-19 restrictive measures will remain in place until Oct. 15.

Thipphakone warned that individuals, legal entities or organizations that violate measures for the prevention and control of the spread of COVID-19 will be prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, depending on the case.

The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported 23 new imported cases and 335 locally transmitted cases. As of Thursday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Laos reached 23,846 with 18 deaths.

Laos detected its first two COVID-19 cases on March 24 last year.