ASEAN countries have agreed to mutually recognize Covid-19 vaccination certificates to facilitate seamless and safe cross-border travel, says the Health Ministry.
Malaysia’s Deputy Health Minister II Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said this was agreed at the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in Bali, Indonesia on 14 May, the Star reports.
He said Malaysia is also ready to work with members of the regional bloc to mutually recognize the Covid-19 vaccination certificates to ensure a healthy and safe regional development and well-being of the people.
“The recognition will be carried out with the ASEAN universal verification mechanism or other mechanisms, which were developed based on the World Health Organisation’s technical specification.
“This is to ease Covid-19 vaccination certificate verification issued by each ASEAN country,” Aaron Ago said in a statement on Sunday.
He said Malaysia also appreciates Indonesia’s efforts to lead the development of the ASEAN universal verification mechanism.
He added that the system has the potential to support ASEAN member states, which have yet to have a Covid-19 vaccination verification system.
“It is important to ease the reopening of borders and expedite the recovery process of ASEAN from Covid-19,” said Aaron Ago.
In the same session, Malaysia also expressed its support for the ASEAN center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), which is a center of excellence and regional hub to strengthen ASEAN’s regional capabilities to prepare, prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies and emerging diseases.
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand have already agreed to accept vaccination certificates issued by Laos, whether in the original format in the Lao language or the dual-language QR Code version.
Tourism “green zones” in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Prabang Province have reached 99.67 percent vaccination rates, with residents displaying high levels of knowledge about COVID-19 prevention measures, according to findings from a survey by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sanong Thongsana, and UNICEF Representative to Laos, Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, co-chaired a briefing for the media yesterday on the results of a survey on COVID-19 vaccination coverage in designated tourism green zones, which include Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Prabang Province.
The survey, which was conducted between January and March 2022, reveals that vaccination coverage in so-called “green travel zones” is high, reaching a 99.67 percent coverage rate.
Health Ministry and UNICEF Survey Finds Nearly 100 Percent Vaccination in Tourism Zones.
Participants of the survey also displayed sufficient preventive knowledge of COVID-19, with the common preventive practices against COVID-19 mentioned including avoiding shaking hands (85 percent), wearing a mask (58.9 percent), washing hands more often (18.2 percent), and avoiding alcohol consumption (16.5 percent).
The survey also reveals the key sources of information on COVID-19 for the Lao people, with the majority (85 percent) of participants saying that they receive this information primarily through Facebook; 78.7 percent receive COVID-19 messages from their workplace, and 41.3 percent get their news from village loudspeakers.
“Laos’ economic recovery is dependent on policies that support businesses and households to adapt to the new normal. To achieve this, COVID-19 vaccination coverage must be achieved at 100 percent. Today’s presentation of the survey results suggests that we are on the right track in reaching our objective and the path towards the recovery and reopening of the country,” stated Deputy Minister Sanong.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected social and economic life in Laos and has brought the country’s tourism sector to a near-complete standstill after decades of extraordinary growth.
Globally, international tourist arrivals fell to levels not seen since 1990.
The importance of tourism in Laos goes beyond the country’s economy. The sector is also a key pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a unique ability to contribute to most – if not all – of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including providing opportunities for children, youth, women, and communities, and helping preserve and promote natural and cultural heritage.
Results from Green Zone Travel vaccination survey.
Reopening the country will help revive the tourism sector and hospitality industry as a source of income for Laos. However, to achieve this, maximum levels of COVID-19 vaccination services coverage must be achieved and preventive measures, especially in green travel zones, must be advocated.
“The survey results demonstrate the success of the Vaccinate Laos campaign and confirms that the government’s strategies and investments are working. Furthermore, this success would not have been possible without the support of development partners, especially through their contribution of vaccines via the COVAX Facility and support on the communication campaign on vaccination in all 18 provinces of Lao PDR,” stated UNICEF Representative, Dr. Pia Rebello Britto.
“Our meeting today further coincides with World Immunization Week, which is celebrated in the last week of every April and is aimed at highlighting the life-saving power of vaccines. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to remind us not only of the importance COVID-19 vaccination but also of childhood immunization in saving lives. We must ensure that our efforts in vaccinating the population against COVID-19 should not come at the expense of routine childhood immunization,” she added.
The government of Laos reopened the country to vaccinated tourists under its new “Lao Travel Green Zone” plan in January.
However, entry restrictions including pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, and quarantine for travelers have meant few tourists have arrived under the scheme.
After agreeing in principle to a full reopening, the Government of Laos is expected to announce the easing of restrictions for arrivals at the end of the month or in early June.
Laos has announced a full reopening to tourism today that allows vaccinated arrivals to enter the country without any testing requirements.
Government Spokesperson and Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa, spoke during an announcement broadcast live across social media.
She said that as the number of Covid-19 cases had significantly decreased, and in order to ensure economic recovery, the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the government of Laos had coordinated with a number of sectors to determine new entry measures in line with the global situation.
After canvassing public opinion and consulting with experts, the Taskforce has set out the following measures for entry to Laos, effective from 9 May onward:
All international checkpoints will be open for entry and exit by Lao citizens, foreign residents, tourists, and other types of visitors.
Citizens of countries that have bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreements with Laos may now enter Laos without the need for a visa.
Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with Laos may now apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system. Visa on arrivals will also be reinstated at certain international checkpoints.
Fully vaccinated foreigners or Lao citizens carrying a vaccination certificate may enter Laos without any screening or testing for Covid-19 when arriving by land, air, or water.
Non-vaccinated citizens of Laos, foreign citizens, or residents aged 12 years and over must take a Rapid Antigen Test (ATK) not more than 48 hours prior to departure and present the results upon arrival.
Foreign arrivals in Laos that become infected with Covid-19 must bear responsibility for any and all medical costs involved in treatment.
Private vehicles may now enter and exit the territory of Laos via checkpoints as prior to the pandemic. Guidelines regarding this measure will be drafted and publicized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Madame Thippakone said that ministries and tourism departments, as well as tourism businesses, must now be fully prepared to welcome foreign tourists.
At the same time, she announced the reopening of entertainment venues and karaoke bars, however, such venues must ensure they fully comply with Covid-19 prevention measures.
ASEAN Countries Agree to Mutually Recognize Covid Vaccination Certificates
ASEAN countries have agreed to mutually recognize Covid-19 vaccination certificates to facilitate seamless and safe cross-border travel, says the Health Ministry.
Malaysia’s Deputy Health Minister II Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said this was agreed at the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in Bali, Indonesia on 14 May, the Star reports.
He said Malaysia is also ready to work with members of the regional bloc to mutually recognize the Covid-19 vaccination certificates to ensure a healthy and safe regional development and well-being of the people.
“The recognition will be carried out with the ASEAN universal verification mechanism or other mechanisms, which were developed based on the World Health Organisation’s technical specification.
“This is to ease Covid-19 vaccination certificate verification issued by each ASEAN country,” Aaron Ago said in a statement on Sunday.
He said Malaysia also appreciates Indonesia’s efforts to lead the development of the ASEAN universal verification mechanism.
He added that the system has the potential to support ASEAN member states, which have yet to have a Covid-19 vaccination verification system.
“It is important to ease the reopening of borders and expedite the recovery process of ASEAN from Covid-19,” said Aaron Ago.
In the same session, Malaysia also expressed its support for the ASEAN center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), which is a center of excellence and regional hub to strengthen ASEAN’s regional capabilities to prepare, prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies and emerging diseases.
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Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand have already agreed to accept vaccination certificates issued by Laos, whether in the original format in the Lao language or the dual-language QR Code version.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/05/17/asean-countries-agree-to-mutually-recognize-covid-vaccination-certificates/
Health Ministry and UNICEF Survey Finds Nearly 100 Percent Vaccination in Tourism Zones
Tourism “green zones” in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Prabang Province have reached 99.67 percent vaccination rates, with residents displaying high levels of knowledge about COVID-19 prevention measures, according to findings from a survey by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sanong Thongsana, and UNICEF Representative to Laos, Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, co-chaired a briefing for the media yesterday on the results of a survey on COVID-19 vaccination coverage in designated tourism green zones, which include Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Prabang Province.
The survey, which was conducted between January and March 2022, reveals that vaccination coverage in so-called “green travel zones” is high, reaching a 99.67 percent coverage rate.
Participants of the survey also displayed sufficient preventive knowledge of COVID-19, with the common preventive practices against COVID-19 mentioned including avoiding shaking hands (85 percent), wearing a mask (58.9 percent), washing hands more often (18.2 percent), and avoiding alcohol consumption (16.5 percent).
The survey also reveals the key sources of information on COVID-19 for the Lao people, with the majority (85 percent) of participants saying that they receive this information primarily through Facebook; 78.7 percent receive COVID-19 messages from their workplace, and 41.3 percent get their news from village loudspeakers.
“Laos’ economic recovery is dependent on policies that support businesses and households to adapt to the new normal. To achieve this, COVID-19 vaccination coverage must be achieved at 100 percent. Today’s presentation of the survey results suggests that we are on the right track in reaching our objective and the path towards the recovery and reopening of the country,” stated Deputy Minister Sanong.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected social and economic life in Laos and has brought the country’s tourism sector to a near-complete standstill after decades of extraordinary growth.
Globally, international tourist arrivals fell to levels not seen since 1990.
The importance of tourism in Laos goes beyond the country’s economy. The sector is also a key pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a unique ability to contribute to most – if not all – of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including providing opportunities for children, youth, women, and communities, and helping preserve and promote natural and cultural heritage.
Reopening the country will help revive the tourism sector and hospitality industry as a source of income for Laos. However, to achieve this, maximum levels of COVID-19 vaccination services coverage must be achieved and preventive measures, especially in green travel zones, must be advocated.
“The survey results demonstrate the success of the Vaccinate Laos campaign and confirms that the government’s strategies and investments are working. Furthermore, this success would not have been possible without the support of development partners, especially through their contribution of vaccines via the COVAX Facility and support on the communication campaign on vaccination in all 18 provinces of Lao PDR,” stated UNICEF Representative, Dr. Pia Rebello Britto.
“Our meeting today further coincides with World Immunization Week, which is celebrated in the last week of every April and is aimed at highlighting the life-saving power of vaccines. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to remind us not only of the importance COVID-19 vaccination but also of childhood immunization in saving lives. We must ensure that our efforts in vaccinating the population against COVID-19 should not come at the expense of routine childhood immunization,” she added.
The government of Laos reopened the country to vaccinated tourists under its new “Lao Travel Green Zone” plan in January.
However, entry restrictions including pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, and quarantine for travelers have meant few tourists have arrived under the scheme.
After agreeing in principle to a full reopening, the Government of Laos is expected to announce the easing of restrictions for arrivals at the end of the month or in early June.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/04/29/health-ministry-and-unicef-survey-finds-nearly-100-percent-vaccination-in-tourism-zones/
Laos Drops Testing For Vaccinated Tourists, Announces Full Reopening
Laos has announced a full reopening to tourism today that allows vaccinated arrivals to enter the country without any testing requirements.
Government Spokesperson and Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa, spoke during an announcement broadcast live across social media.
She said that as the number of Covid-19 cases had significantly decreased, and in order to ensure economic recovery, the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the government of Laos had coordinated with a number of sectors to determine new entry measures in line with the global situation.
After canvassing public opinion and consulting with experts, the Taskforce has set out the following measures for entry to Laos, effective from 9 May onward:
All international checkpoints will be open for entry and exit by Lao citizens, foreign residents, tourists, and other types of visitors.
Citizens of countries that have bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreements with Laos may now enter Laos without the need for a visa.
Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with Laos may now apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system. Visa on arrivals will also be reinstated at certain international checkpoints.
Fully vaccinated foreigners or Lao citizens carrying a vaccination certificate may enter Laos without any screening or testing for Covid-19 when arriving by land, air, or water.
Non-vaccinated citizens of Laos, foreign citizens, or residents aged 12 years and over must take a Rapid Antigen Test (ATK) not more than 48 hours prior to departure and present the results upon arrival.
Foreign arrivals in Laos that become infected with Covid-19 must bear responsibility for any and all medical costs involved in treatment.
Private vehicles may now enter and exit the territory of Laos via checkpoints as prior to the pandemic. Guidelines regarding this measure will be drafted and publicized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Madame Thippakone said that ministries and tourism departments, as well as tourism businesses, must now be fully prepared to welcome foreign tourists.
At the same time, she announced the reopening of entertainment venues and karaoke bars, however, such venues must ensure they fully comply with Covid-19 prevention measures.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/05/07/laos-drops-testing-for-vaccinated-tourists-announces-full-reopening/