The Lao Health Ministry said at a press conference on April 27 that the country has not recorded any more cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, marking the 15th consecutive day in a row the country has seen no new COVID-19 cases.
A health worker checks a woman's temperature in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Lao Health Ministry said at apress conference on April 27 that the country has not recorded any more casesof COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, marking the 15th consecutive day in a row thecountry has seen no new COVID-19 cases.
As of April 26, Laos had tested 1,777 suspected cases with 19 positive for thenovel corovirus (SARS-CoV-2). Of the patients, seven have been discharged fromhospital.
Amid the complex developments of the pandemic in the region and the world, theLao government has increased measures against the disease. Accordingly,citizens of countries, including Laotians, when entering the country, will be screenedand tested immediately. If anyone tests positive for SARS-CoV-2, he/she must besent to hospital for treatment. In case of negative results, the entrants willhave to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine period and foreigners must pay allexpenses themselves.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, local authorities continue to extend the measuresimposed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, although the number of newinfections is on the decline.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on April27 decided to extend a ban on all incoming international passenger flights untilMay 31.
Earlier on the same day, the government's Centre for COVID-19 SituationAdministration (CCSA) recommended extending emergency powers and anationwide night time curfew for another month due to concerns over the possiblesecond wave of outbreaks.
It also recommended continuing restrictions on travel between provinces andlarge scale public activities, extending a work from home policy and delayingfour public holidays in May.
The new measures are to be submited to the Cabinet for approval on April 28.
Thailand on April 27 reported nine new COVID-19 cases and no new local transmission in Bangkok for the first time since the outbreak began in January. /.
Laos hailed the positive signs in the fight against COVID-19 as the country has not detected any new cases of infections on the seventh consecutive day on April 19.
The Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) Group donated 100,000 USD to the Lao Government on April 20 to help the country purchase medical supplies for its fight against COVID-19.
The Thai government’s COVID-19 center has asked the public to continue working from home and refrain from travelling despite a decline in newly reported cases each day, in order to prevent a second wave of infections, and aimed at easing lockdown measures in some cases.
Phat Tich Pagoda in Vientiane on April 24 presented relief aid to 250 Vietnamese in need in Laos who are facing difficulties caused by social distancing measures aimed to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
Thailand’s National Security Council is expected to present a proposal for the extension of the state of emergency to the Prime Minister on April 27, with some current restrictions to be relaxed to allow some businesses and daily activities to resume amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
A health worker checks a woman's temperature in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
