Worst Ever Air Pollution in Laos 2023
Smog caused by the annual burning off of fields has hit all-time highs in 2023. The annual burn-off runs from Dec to April with March traditionally being the peak. From Jan to Feb large particles of ash fell from the sky and by March the particles below PM2.5 caused the air to become hazardous – […]
Laos confident COVID-19 pandemic under control with one case recorded
June 26, 2022 VIENTIANE (LAOTIAN TIMES/THE STAR) – Laos reported just a single case of COVID-19 and zero deaths across the country on Friday night, the Laotian Times reported. The daily COVID-19 tally from the Centre of Information and Education for Health showed that only one case of COVID-19 had been recorded in Vientiane Capital, […]
Surge in travel from Laos
More than 2,000 Lao people are arriving in Nong Khai province every day after the Thai-Laos border checkpoint reopened. Some Thais have smuggled petrol into Laos to profiteer from fuel sales there, said Nongkhai Customs House. Pakin Tiabkam, head of customs control at Nong Khai Customs House, said 2,000 people are crossing the border checkpoint […]
Laos Inflation hits 12.8%
The rate of inflation in Laos reached 12.8% in May, the highest point in 15 years. In reality it seems the rate of inflation is over 250% on many items. However, according to information provided by the Bank of Laos, inflation has now increased to a five-year high after reaching 10% in January 2016. Increases […]
Nong Khai-Laos border checkpoints finally reopen after two years
From 9 May the Laos borders fully open Three border checkpoints in Nong Khai were reopened on Sunday, more than two years after they were sealed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The main checkpoint is the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai’s Muang district, which connects with the Laos capital […]
“No Water Play” in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has issued guidelines for safely celebrating Lao New Year in the province this year, with water play prohibited. The notice, issued by Luang Prabang Provincial Governor’s Office, encourages small celebrations at home or with family, while large group celebrations will be prohibited without authorization from the provincial Covid taskforce. At the same time, […]
COVID-19 Vaccination rates in Laos
A total of 5,136,399 people have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Laos, (70% of the country’s population), according to the Lao Ministry of Health. A total of 4,367,592 people had been given a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, equal to 59.52% of the population. In addition, 953,825 people have had […]
Laos Cuts Quarantine times
Quarantine times slashed as health system no longer under pressure
Lao authorities urge people to get vaccinated
The Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Laos achieved good results last year, with at least 50 per cent of the population vaccinated. The government urges people in all at-risk groups to come forward and be vaccinated to minimize the impact on people’s health and the economy.
Students learn remotely during COVID
Since the rapid spread of COVID-19 (119,000 cases and 437 deaths) took hold of Laos schools have been closed and education moved to online learning. This is not an option for many students but it is pleasing to see a reasonable number of LEOT School students have been able to continue lessons.
Buy Food for Lao Families
I am helping to raise money to buy rice for Lao families in need. Lao people eat sticky rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner! A large bag of 50kg rice costs $60 NZD and will feed an average family for 2-4 weeks.
Community Development, COVID-19, Donation, Featured, Laos, Luang Prabang
Laos Launches Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate
Health authorities in Laos have launched a new enhanced Covid-19 vaccination certificate with a QR Code that will allow for greater authenticity and digital verification. According to a report by the Center of Information and Education for Health, the QR code on the Covid-19 vaccination certificate will ensure that the certificates are authentic and can be more […]
Laos COVID Vaccine update
The sixth batch of China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines has been handed over to Laos this week upon arrival at the Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday. A million doses were donated. China is trying to donate 6.8 million doses in 2021. Laos has a population of approximately 7 million people. The Republic of Korea will also […]
Villages Locked down for COVID-19
Today an order was issued to lock down Luang Prabang to stop the spread of COVID-19. Authorities in several Lao provinces have ordered lockdowns with travel banned between some districts due to a surge in Covid infections. All Covid rule-breakers will be fined. This includes anyone who comes into contact with a known COVID case […]
People in Nong Khiaw quarantine with no food
UPDATE from Nic Lutz, local resident in Nong Khiaw. Emergency donation to provide food for quarantined locals in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi On behalf of Nong Kiau Riverside, Delilahs Cafe & Mandala Ou Resort I would like to say a massively heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that has donated so far. Your generosity is […]
Laos-China Railway on Track for December
The 6 US Billion Laos-China railway which was started in December 2016 is a year early and set up open on Lao National day this year, 2 December. The railway runs from the town of Boten on Laos’s border with China to the capital Vientiane and is now 93.82% complete according to the Miniter of […]
Covid-19 feeds child labour in Laos
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the poverty level of Laotian families and denied the right to education of a growing number of children, pushing them into the arms of those who exploit child labour. Most of them are employed in the fields and farmland by their parents and, in the worst cases, some of the little ones start working before they even go to elementary school.
Injecting pus from a milkmaid
For 200 years vaccines have been developed the same way since 1796 when a patient was injected with pus from the sores of a milkmaid to cure smallpox – until last year in 2020. The past 14 months have been uncertain, rapidly changing and especially in the field of medicine. The COVID-19 vaccines are the […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 12-14
Today is Saturday, the final day of the current week-long NZ lockdown. I have Sunday to go and then leave Monday (day 15). Today is also my day 12 COVID-19 test. This is my 4th test in total. One in Laos on the 18th and 3 in NZ Day 0, 3 and 12. I got […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 11
Today started with a 7.1 earthquake at 2.27am followed by more with another 8.1 at 8.30am. I hadn’t slept well and while I didn’t feel it it is what perhaps woke me. A tsunami warning was issued for numerous areas to evacuate. I was okay in Auckland as were friends and family. Evacuation advice overrides […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 10
Thursday 4 March wow. It’s actually my 11th day today but until the day turns over I guess it’s Day 10 since I started at Day 0. I escaped my room briefly today to take my 7 items of laundry down, my slot was 7.30 to 7.35. Why I \don’t know as it was actually […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 9
I have to think about today as the days are blending into one another. Six books by famed children’s author Dr. Seuss have been pulled from publication by the company that manages the author’s legacy. According to Dr. Seuss Enterprises, titles such as “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 8
I spent some time today listening to music while pottering about. Daft Punk have split and it was announced by them posting an epilogue video. They were so influential in the early 1990s with early house. The best eroa of music!
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 7
The day passed quickly. I heard a rustle at the door, the sound of a brown paper bag and a knock-knock. A delicious roast pork loin came for dinner – perfect.
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 6
When will this be over? Another sleepless night. Went to bed at 11pm feeling tired but then I was wide awake and not comfortable. I had about 203 hours sleep. The nurse knocked at my door “CHECK”, she said. I got out of bed and put some clothes on. “TEST” she shouted again. I put […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 5
I had a terrible sleep, I was wide awake and so got up at 1am and did some work until 6am. I grabbed a few hours kip then. Felt a bit crappy when I rose. The carpark outside seems empty. There are 150 rooms here so would expect to see more people. Maybe it’s to […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 4
The day started with my breakfast pack (a massive service of granola), followed by a nurse taking my temperature with a gun. The phone ran to confirm my menu for tomorrow. With the amount of food, perhaps they think there are two people in my room. I heard the familiar noise of food arriving and […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 3
I woke at 2am and again at 7am. I’m still not sleeping well. I feel a bit down in the evenings, it’s weird being locked up. I did some exercise before eating breakfast, an egg muffin. The NZ Defence Force lady called the phone in my room asking me to come for my day 3 […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 2
I woke at 6am to see tomorrow’s food menu under the door. Enchiladas and Roast Pork Belly are on the menu. My back is sore from not being used to such a soft bed! The Sebel Manukau Hotel is a fine location to be help in Quarantine. The staff are nice, the room is clean […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 1
After feeling to exhausted yesterday it wasn’t until midnight that I got to sleep. This is good though as I get used to the NZ time difference which is 6 hours ahead. It’s day 2 really now isn’t it. I wonder if they call it day 0 so try and make us think we haven’t […]
My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 0
I didn’t think I was going to make it out of Laos. I got to the Vientiane airport 3 hours early and after 3 hours I still didn’t have a boarding pass. I was getting anxious. I went to the airport at 7pm with two friends, one has been helping people exit Laos over the […]
My COVID Journey: Prologue
In the future, I may look back on this and remember what is was like to travel during COVID-19. Of course, unless one really had to, you would not choose to travel at such a time. I will summarize my two-week quarantine in New Zealand. In the meantime here is a prologue while I remain […]