23/02/2022
Hi everybody,
Here is the latest information and measures taken by the Lao government for entry into Laos.
Hoping to see the visitors we miss so much again soon.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has instructed provincial authorities to work with businesses to check that services are in place to ensure the safety of visitors with regard to Covid-19 as the Lao Thiao Laos tourism campaign resumes.
The ministry also ordered tourism businesses to improve other areas of service and encourage the participation of local residents in the development of sustainable tourism.
Tourism operators were also instructed to assess and manage the potential risks in the operation of their business.
Tourism businesses were told to charge reasonable prices, promote local products and create a variety of tours, which should be widely advertised to attract visitors.
Provincial information, culture and tourism officials were advised to work with provincial Covid-19 taskforces and local businesses to identify tourist destinations, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, and handicraft shops that meet LaoSafe standards.
Tourists who are unwell or display symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed to continue with their travel plans but will be required to stay at their hotel until seen by a doctor.
If they test positive for the virus they will be taken to a hospital, with all costs to be borne by their insurance company.
All arriving visitors must have had two doses of a Covid vaccine less than 14 days prior to travel and must have purchased life insurance. They must also have had a negative RT-PCR test result less than 72 hours before entering Laos.
Upon arrival, visitors must take a Covid test at a border crossing or other point of entry and quarantine in a designated hotel for up to 48 hours while awaiting the test results. If the test is negative, visitors can proceed to a green travel zone.
Visitors must also purchase health insurance that covers them for medical expenses amounting to a minimum of US$50,000.
The first phase of the new tourism programme takes place from January to the end of March in Vientiane, Luang Prabang province, and Vangvieng district in Vientiane province, while green travel trails have also been designated in Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang, Khammuan and Champassak provinces.
The second phase will see green travel zones opening up from April 1 to June 30 in Vientiane and the provinces of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khuang, Khammuan, Savannakhet and Champassak, with green travel trails in Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Xekong and Saravan provinces.
The third phase will begin on July 1, when visitors will be able to travel to nine provinces, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Areas classified as green travel zones must have a population that is more than 70 percent vaccinated against Covid-19, while more than 95 percent of service providers must also be vaccinated.
Nationals of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, USA, Canada, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Israel, Austria, New Zealand, Poland, Denmark and Belgium are now allowed to enter Laos for the purposes of tourism.
By Times Reporters
