Laos Travel Restrictions

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Laos | Travel Restrictions, Covid-19 Tests and Quarantine Requirements
Updated: August 26.2021


Tourist Entry: Partially Allowed
Testing: Negative PCR test results is required for all countries.
Quarantine Required: Yes
Quarantine Details: Quarantine for 14 days required for all countries

Lockdown in Effect: Partial
Events: Partially Allowed
Transport: Operational with restrictions
Shopping: Open
Restaurants and Bars: Open with restrictions

Detailed Travel Advisory
Published 06.08.2021

• Flights to Lao People’s Dem. Rep. are suspended.
  This does not apply to humanitarian, medevac and repatriation flights.
• Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
• Passengers must have a reservation confirmation for 14 days at a designated hotel and transportation arrangements.
• Passengers are subject to COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival at their own expense; and
• Subject to medical screening upon arrival; and
  Subject to quarantine for 14 days. They must sign the ’Travel Consent’ letter before boarding.
• A completed health declaration form must be presented upon arrival.
• Airline crew are subject to medical screening and quarantine until their next flight.
• Only visas with a written authorization from Task Force Committee of Ministry of Foreign Affairs are considered valid.

Detailed Tourist Information

International flights are suspended, and borders are closed to foreign travelers. Foreign nationals who are granted permission to enter (https://bit.ly/3fUGLpl) must apply for a visa. Arrivals will undergo mandatory health screenings and 14 days of quarantine at their own expense. Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure, and complete a health declaration form.

Lockdown Details

The Lao authorities have announced an easing of lockdown restrictions in provinces with no COVID-19 infections. Most businesses (including gyms/spas, sports facilities, night markets, tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping malls, retail shops and food markets) may open if COVID preventative measures are in place. These may include providing alcohol gel, face masks being worn, 1m physical distancing and checking temperatures. However, some entertainment venues remain closed and the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

Large social gatherings, weddings and traditional events are not permitted.

In Vientiane Capital many of the COVID-19 prevention measures and lockdown restrictions have been extended as community transmission remains. Many businesses, restaurants, shopping malls, retail shops and food markets may open if COVID prevention measures are in place. The main restrictions are:

• Vientiane Capital has introduced a zoning system, with different parts of the city graded red, yellow or green – restrictions are heaviest in the red areas. These zones may change over time
• Travel in and out of Vientiane Capital is prohibited from infected areas
• Meetings, events or gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited
• Entertainment venues, karaoke venues, bars, internet cafes, spas, and gyms are closed

Further measures may be introduced at short notice. You should follow the advice of the Lao authorities.

[Sundance2020]

Laos adds 14 more countries to its Travel Green Zone entry scheme



Laos officially reopened to international tourists on January 1, and now the country has added another 14 countries to the Travel Green Zone scheme today, which allows fully vaccinated travellers to visit Laos with just a 24 hour quarantine at their hotel upon arrival.

• The initial list of countries approved for the Travel Green Zone scheme…
  China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, United States, Canada, and Australia.
• And the following countries were recently added to the list…
  Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Israel, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, New Zealand, Poland, Denmark, Belgium

There will be three phases, each with two travel zones named “Green Travel Zone” and “Green Travel Trails”, which will be monitored for three months with destinations for the current capital, Vientiane, Luang Prabang Province, and Vang Vieng District in Vientiane Province, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, and Champasack.

Phase 2 will start in April 2022, with more destinations expected to be added to the lists, and another phase will start from July onwards.

Those who visit Laos are mandated to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no less than 14 days prior to arrival with proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.

Travellers are also required to download and register via the LaoKYC and LaoStaySafe mobile applications prior to arriving in the country with health insurance worth no less than US$50,000.