Laos has temporarily banned the import of seafood from Thailand after a new outbreak of COVID-19 hit the kingdom (Photo: laotiantimes.com)Vientiane (VNA) – Laos has temporarily banned the import of seafoodfrom Thailand after a new outbreak of COVID-19 hit the kingdom, Vientiane Timesreported.
Lao health authorities are concerned thatseafood could be contaminated with the virus, so imports have been halted withimmediate effect.
The ban was implemented on December 24 afterThailand’s Samut Sakhon district became the epicentre of a new COVID-19 outbreak,with over 1,000 people testing positive after a shrimp wholesaler contractedthe virus last week.
Lao seafood importers said they were hit by the ban. Before the pandemic struck, the seafood business was recording stronggrowth due to the increasing popularity of seafood among Lao people.
According to Vientiane Times, the Laoauthorities are monitoring seafood importers in Vientiane and the provinces,including Champassak, and checking containers for potential source of COVID-19.
Under the ministry’s order, authorities havecalled on all officials and local residents to comply with the measure by notbuying seafood from Thailand and not eating such products.
Provincial authorities are working with districtofficials to monitor Lao-Thai border crossings to prevent seafood productsentering Laos.
This is a temporary measure and will remain inplace until officials from Laos and Thailand take steps to ensure the safety ofseafood imported from Thailand.
From January to December 23, a total of 82,824people were tested in Laos for COVID-19 and 41 were found to be carrying thevirus./.
VNA
