COVID-19 infections surge in Laos, Vientiane in lockdown
VOV correspondent in Laos -
(VOVWORLD) - Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh on Wednesday ordered a 14-day lockdown, from 6 am Thursday until 12 am May 5, of the capital of Vientiane following a surge of COVID-19 cases.
 A COVID-19 checkpoint in Vientiane |
Only individuals and commercial goods authorized by the National Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control may travel to or from Vientiane. Residents of Vientiane are prohibited from leaving their houses except to buy food and other essential goods.
All international border checkpoints and crossings will remain closed, except for emergencies and authorized goods. Places of entertainment, restaurants, cafes, gyms, and sport centers will also be shut down.
The lockdown order came hours after the detection of 26 cases in the last 24 hours, the first time the number of daily new infections hit two digits since the COVID-19 broke out last March.
VOV correspondent in Laos