Vientiane (VNA) - Laos on May 15 announced the easing of some restrictions in the countryafter 33 consecutive days without any new infection of COVID-19.

From May 18, publicagencies and businesses will be allowed to re-open but epidemic preventionmeasures must continue and working online is still encouraged wheneverpossible.

Transport activitieswill be resumed and inter-province movement is allowed. Foreigners in Laos canreturn to their home countries, and Lao workers employed overseas can return totheir jobs abroad.

The Government alsopermits the gradual re-opening of schools, with fifth, ninth and 12th graders back to school on May 18 and other graders from June 2.

Both indoor and outdoorsport activities can now be held on the condition of observing epidemicprevention rules. Business activities will also be resumed under the monitoringof management agencies and local authorities.

Meanwhile, the restriction will continuefor parties, night markets, Nightmarkets, beer shops, nightclubs, online game shops, karaoke venues, cinemas,casinos, and team sports tournaments. Unofficial or informal gatheringsor other large events are still banned, as are cultural festivals and weddingswith more than 50 attendees.
           
Local, traditional, andinternational border checkpoints remain closed, and Laos will continue to issueno visa to foreigners except for diplomats, experts and labourers deemnecessary for projects in the country.

The Lao Health Ministry also stressed that ifany new infection is detected in a province, stricter measures willbe enacted in that province. If a cluster of cases is found in two or moreprovinces, then the country may revert to stricter lockdown measures stipulatedunder Prime Ministerial Order No. 6/PM./.