New Advisory from Government on Procedure, Documents and Steps to Enter and Leave Lao PDR

On 16 December 2020, the National Task Force Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 issued an Advisory on the procedure, documents and steps required to enter and leave Lao PDR ("Procedural Advisory"). The Procedural Advisory follows the Decision of the Prime Minister No. 09/PM dated 3 February 2020 and the Notice of the Prime Minister’s Office No.1291/PMO dated 26 November 2020 which are referred to in the Procedural Advisory. The Procedural Advisory replaces the Instruction No.1861/MOFA dated 31 July 2020. This Update highlights the key documents and procedures set out in the Procedural Advisory.

New Notice on COVID-19 Reinforcement Measures Restricting Movement and Gatherings

On 23 December 2020, the Prime Minister's Office issued the Notice on Reinforcement Measures for Containment, Prevention and Full Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic ("Notice"). The Notice follows the Decree of Prime Minister No. 93/PM dated 3 March 2017, the Order of the Prime Minister No. 06/PM dated 29 March 2020 which is referred to in the Notice, the report of the National Task Force Committee for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 ("Task Force"), and the instruction of Prime Minister in the Meeting with the Task Force held on 22 December 2020.

The Notice sets out the restrictions on movement and gatherings which must be implemented during the period from 23 December 2020 to 31 January 2021 to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Lao PDR.