Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao National TaskforceCommittee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control announced the lockdown of aspecial economic zone in the northern province of Luang Namtha and testing onall suspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection from December 5.
The order was released after two Chinese illegal immigrantswere tested positive to COVID-19. They entered Laos from Myanmar by waterwaythrough Tonpheung district of Bokeo province in late November. The duo was thenarrested by Chinese police while trying to return to China through the border inBoten special economic zone.
The Lao National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Preventionand Control ordered the closure of the entire Tonpheung district and Botenspecial economic zone in Luang Namtha in 14 days.
The committee also asked for the strict implementation ofCOVID-19 prevention measures, and the testing of COVID-19 on all people showingCOVID-19 symptoms or getting a fever.
At the same time, authorities of Bokeo and Luang Namthaprovinces were requested to trace the movements of seven people having closecontacts with the Chinese men.
As of December 5, Laos had reported 39 COVID-19 cases,including 13 patients being treated at Mittaphab hospital in Vientiane./.