Laos locks down capital over virus outbreak » Borneo Bulletin Online

BANGKOK (AP) — Laos locked down its capital and closed its international borders to most traffic yesterday after identifying a COVID-19 cluster connected to its bigger neighbour Thailand.

Residents of the capital Vientiane are barred from leaving the city and outsiders must get permission to enter. Its international borders were closed except to trucks carrying goods and in cases allowed by the nation’s COVID-19 taskforce, state news agency KPL reported.

It said the lockdown order signed by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh also prohibits all Vientiane residents from leaving their homes except for food shopping, hospital visits and other authorised tasks. The restrictions are until May 5.

The report said they were ordered after 28 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to 88. The total population of Laos is about 7.5 million, including…