Laos will drop Covid-19 entry restrictions for fully vaccinated tourists from Monday after the country reported falling coronavirus cases and deaths, senior officials said.
The small South-east Asian nation saw an 80 per cent downturn in international traveller numbers in 2020 ― 4.7 million foreign tourists visited the previous year.
From January, travellers were required to complete seven days of quarantine, present a negative Covid-19 test and were limited to travelling within certain areas with officially sanctioned tour groups.
Deputy Minister and Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Office Thipphakone Chanthavongsa said on Saturday that a task force's recommendations that "measures for entering Laos PDR and relaxation for locals" had been approved.
"The Government sees it is time to develop the economy," she said.
As part of the relaxed measures, international checkpoints will be reopened for Laotian citizens and foreigners, provided they are fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated visitors must produce a Rapid Antigen Test issued within 48 hours of leaving their origin country.
Tourists will also have to pay for their own medical treatment should they become Covid-19 positive.
Laos officials added that pubs and karaoke bars could reopen.
The country has reported 663,533 coronavirus cases and 16,509 deaths.
Travel industry's most recovered countries after the pandemic — in pictures:
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1. The UAE is the travel industry's most recovered country. Photo: DTCM -
2. The Dominican Republic is the second-most recovered country, while Punta Cana is the world's most recovered city. Photo: Unsplash / Joshua Wilkinson -
3. Cancun, Mexico is the third-most recovered travel destination. EPA / Alonso Cupul -
4. Bangladesh has bounced back from Covid-19. People take pictures among Kans grass at Sarighat area in South Keraniganj. EPA -
5. Pakistan is the fifth-most recovered destination based on bookings made up until March 2022, according to Travelport. -
6. A tourist surfs along a beach in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. AFP -
7. Hot air balloons glide over the historical Cappadocia region, located in Nevsehir province of Turkey. Getty Images -
8. The Maldives has an abundance of beaches boasting golden sands and crystal-clear waters, which has aided its quick tourism recovery. -
9. Tourists take a picture with a camel on a beach facing the Gulf of Aqaba, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Reuters -
10. A view of the Old Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv. A strong vaccine drive has helped Israel's travel recovery. EPA -
11. Visitors at Las Delicias waterfall in San Jose del Guaviare, Colombia. The country reopened to travellers early in the pandemic. EPA -
12. Tangier's street-side stalls are popular with tourists visiting Morocco. Getty Images -
13. A tourist visits the Abu Lawha Nabataean tomb at the desert archaeological site of Hegra, north-west of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo -
14. People walk along the Dom Luis I Bridge in Porto, Portugal. Reuters -
15. A skier at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort in Canada, the 15th most recovered destination. Photo: Garrett Grove
