Govt lifts more restrictions put in place to curb the Covid-19 outbreak, enabling people to gradually return to a ‘new normal’.

THE government has lifted more restrictions put in place to curb the Covid-19 outbreak, enabling people to gradually return to a “new normal” based on Laos’ good track record in keeping the virus at bay.

The Prime Minister’s Office on Friday issued an announcement detailing the restrictions that will be lifted during the period of June 2-30.

Preschools, kindergartens, and the remaining classes of primary and secondary schools (whose finalyear classes resumed earlier) – will reopen today.

Final-year classes at technical colleges, pedagogy colleges and universities can also reopen today. But their remaining classes are instructed to reopen on June 15.

Restrictions have been further relaxed given that there have been no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Laos for 49 consecutive days as of Sunday. Sixteen of the 19 people who contracted the virus and were hospitalised have been discharged while three remain in hospital.

The transport of goods across international borders will return to normal.

The government will permit the organisation of all forms of sport competitions, but no spectators will be allowed to attend.

Night markets and cinemas can reopen, while investment projects, factories and businesses can resume operations as normal.

Although restrictions have been eased, everyone is instructed to continue to take precautions. These include maintaining a distance of at least one metre from other people, frequently washing hands with alcohol-based hand gel or soap, wearing a face mask, and regularly checking one’s temperature.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the easing of restrictions was temporary and that if further cases of Covid-19 were found, the rules would be reimposed in the province where the infection was detected.