COVID-19 ALERT
ADVISORY FOR MALAYSIANS RESIDING IN THE LAO PDR
For Malaysians residing in the Lao PDR
- The Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR is closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation is evolving rapidly, the health, safety and well-being of Malaysians remain of utmost priority.
- In view of the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) classifying COVID-19 as a pandemic, the Embassy would like to advise all Malaysians in Vientiane, Lao PDR to remain vigilant and to strictly follow the guidance issued by the national health authorities.
- Malaysians residing in the Lao PDR are advised to immediately register with the Embassy of Malaysia, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
- To register, e-mail your particulars NAME, GENDER, IC/PASSPORT NUMBER, PHONE NUMBER (WHATSAPP & CALL) & LOCATION to mwvientiane@kln.gov.my
- Registration is critical to ensure that relevant information and updates from the Embassy / Government of Malaysia could be communicated as effectively and efficiently as possible.
- Please refrain from non-essential travel. Following the announcement by the Government of Malaysia on 16 March 2020 concerning the imposition of travel restrictions on all Malaysians, please discourage family members, loved ones or friends from traveling to the Lao PDR until further notice.
- If already abroad, be aware that you may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad.
- While information available to date suggests that COVID-19 presents as a mild illness in most cases, older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes among others, appear to be more vulnerable.
- Given the alarming rate at which the virus spreads, the Embassy is hopeful that taking the necessary precautions will help contain and mitigate the spread of the virus.
- In Vientiane, four (4) Hospitals – Mittaphab Hospital, Mahosot Hospital, Setthethirath Hospital and 103 Hospital have been designated for isolation.
- In the provinces, suspected patients will be isolated at Provincial Hospitals.
Self-Quarantine
- Self-quarantine at home for 14 days is imposed on travellers under the following conditions:
- Those coming from countries (which do not share a border with Laos) where more than 100 confirmed cases have been reported, although having no symptoms;
- Travellers from neighbouring countries whose provinces do not share a border with Laos but have more than 10 confirmed cases reported in their province; and
- Those from contagious provinces of neighbouring countries where more than three (3) confirmed cases have been reported.
- People in self-quarantine at home are restricted from going out for any activity. The quarantined person is suggested not to contact or get close to another person. Family members or employers are required to facilitate their daily needs including food while being quarantined.
- The quarantined people are required to daily monitor their condition, including flu symptoms, cough and breathing difficulty, to take good care of their health and always wash their hands.
Self-Monitoring
- Travellers entering Laos with no symptoms and whose conditions do not match isolation and home-quarantine criteria are told to impose self-monitoring.
- Travellers under the 14-day self-monitoring at home can go out for essential activities but are required to wear a mask and self-monitor their flu, cough and breathing difficulty condition daily.
- For those under home-quarantine and self-monitoring who develop flu-like symptoms, cough and breathing difficulties, you may wish to contact the Lao PDR’s Task Force Committee’s hotline 166 or 020 5406 6777 to seek advice.
Travel to Malaysia
- From 18 to 31 March 2020, Malaysia’s borders are closed to all foreign nationals, with exceptions applying to diplomats and certain other categories of persons only.
- However, those persons traveling to a third country i.e. on transit through Malaysia may continue to do so (without crossing immigration / passport control).
- In all cases, all persons entering Malaysia (citizens and non-citizens) will be subject to health screening and quarantine for 14 days. For more information on travel restrictions to Malaysia, visit: http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/2019-ncov-wuhan
- As of 18 March 2020, AirAsia’s flight to/from Malaysia-Vientiane (KUL-VTE-KUL) is still available for booking and travel. However, there will be no AirAsia flights to Kuala Lumpur available on 19 and 26 March 2020.
- The Ministry of Health has published guidelines for COVID-19 Management in Malaysia, accessible here: http://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/2019-ncov-wuhan guidelines
- For more information on Malaysia’s response to the outbreak, travel advisories / restrictions to Malaysia or guidelines for Malaysians who are planning trips abroad, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic or Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, as per the following:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic
Telephone : +6 03 8887 8770
+6 03 8889 2746
+6 03 8887 4570
E-mail : dutyofficer@kln.gov.my
Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR
Telephone : +856 21 414205
+856 21 414206
Fax : +856 21 414201
E-mail : mwvientiane@kln.gov.my
Embassy of Malaysia
Vientiane, Lao PDR
18 March 2020