Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao Government on July 4 continuedto extend its lockdown order for an additional 15 days to prevent COVID-19 from spreadingamid complicated developments of the pandemic in neighbouring countries and the penetration of Delta variant in the Southeast Asian country.

This is the fifth time the country has prolonged the ordersince it was first applied on April 22.

Pubs, bars, karaoke parlours, entertainment venues, snookerhalls, massage parlours, spas, and internet cafes are to remain closed.

Indoor sport centers are to remain closed, while contactsports such as football and martial arts remain prohibited in Vientiane capitalor any province with an outbreak.

All factories and handicraft operations in red zones are toclose, except for those wherein employees have received two doses of COVID-19vaccine, and have dormitories on site, or those producing essential materials.

Entry into red zones will remain prohibited, except forpersons authorized by the Taskforce or local authorities. Gatherings or partiesof any kind may not be held at any form.

However, shopping malls, retail shops, supermarkets,minimarts, and fresh markets that comply with COVID-19 prevention measures mayremain open. Outdoor exercise and non-contact sporting activities arepermitted. Tourist sites and food gardens may reopen in provinces withoutcommunity spread of the virus but are prohibited from serving alcohol.

Public agencies and enterprises in Vientiane are allowed tooperate normally, while education facilities at all levels in localitieswithout any community infections are allowed to continue to open.

The Ministry of Health on July 4 noonreported 32 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours in five out of 18 localities, including onlythree found in the community.

Meanwhile, all foreigners will have to show their COVID-19vaccination certificates and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testresults before entering Indonesia from July 6.

Under a documentissued on July 4, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs saidthat diplomatic officials will not have to show their vaccination certificatesin official visits.

Indonesian citizens hoping to return the country haveto produce negative PCR test result if they do not have vaccinationcertificates. They will be sent to quarantine and get COVID-19 vaccine shotsimmediately. The quarantine time is eight days with two PCR tests./.