You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

May 5, 2020

Laos Begins Relaxing Some Lockdown Measures as Planned

Subscribe to Updates

Shortly after the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown measures in Laos on May 1, 2020, the Prime Minister’s Office provided additional details on the post-lockdown period and the relaxation of certain measures in Notification No. 524/PMO.  

From May 4 to May 17, the government will lift some restrictions, implement extra prevention measures where necessary, and leave some prohibitions in place, in order to assess the prevention measures and determine how to proceed. Accordingly, the relaxation of the measures may only be on a temporary basis.

If additional COVID-19 cases are reported in one province, that province will return to a lockdown and will be placed under the authority of the provincial taskforce. If infections are reported in two or more provinces, Laos will return to a full national lockdown, and the country’s original lockdown order will be reinstated.

Relaxation of Measures

People residing in Laos are now authorized to leave their homes and travel within their provinces. Though working remotely is still recommended, businesses and organizations in both the public and private sectors are allowed to resume normal operations on a staff rotation basis, provided they observe prevention measures, such as social distancing of one meter, hand washing, use of alcohol gel, mask wearing, body temperature checks, and proper cleaning of the working premises. Public training events and meetings that observe these prevention measures are likewise authorized.

Large private factories and investment projects must operate according to the conditions and measures issued on April 21 under Guideline No. 31.

Most schools will reopen—again while observing the prescribed prevention measures—on May 18. However, universities and some other educational institutions will remain closed until further notice.

Measures that Remain in Effect

Interprovincial travel remains generally banned, but exceptions are now available, subject to prior authorization, for official business trips, study, necessary trips by business operators, medical purposes, travel in connection with a deceased person, and for transportation of goods.

The following establishments and activities remain banned:

  • Entertainment services, bars and beer shops, cinemas, karaoke, massage parlors and spas, casinos, night markets, fitness centers, indoor sports complexes;
  • Sports and sporting competitions that attract crowds and participants of more than 10 people (examples given include football, basketball, marathons, boxing, cockfighting, and petanque, but the ban is interpreted broadly);
  • Events with large crowds, celebrations and parties, and any gatherings of more than 10 people.

All domestic and international borders remain closed to the public, except for individuals who have been granted written permission by the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, and for the transportation of goods. Foreign nationals working or studying in Laos will be granted authorization to return home as originally planned, and Lao students and workers who need to go abroad for study or work can do so as long as authorization is granted by the destination country.

Lao authorities will continue to suspend the issuance of all categories of visas for individuals traveling from countries that are still experiencing the spread of COVID-19 infections. Exceptions can be provided for mandated experts, public officials, and foreign workers entering the country to work on important and necessary projects. However, they must undergo proper testing and be quarantined for 14 days at designated centers, in accordance with requirements stipulated under relevant government regulations (i.e., Notice No. 507/PMO dated April 24, 2020).

Some of the items described above may require further definition or explanation by the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control—the body responsible for issuing recommendations and additional details for proper implementation of these measures. That is expected in due course.

Related Professionals

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Employment

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

August 11, 2026
Cambodia’s Ministry of Justice has launched a new platform on its official website to publish notices of forced sales issued by each municipal and provincial court of first instance. The platform’s stated purpose is to inform the public and facilitate greater participation in forced-sale auctions conducted in connection with court-ordered enforcement proceedings. How the Platform Works The platform publishes forced-sale notices from courts of first instance across Cambodia’s municipalities and provinces and includes a link where the public can view properties currently subject to forced sale. To participate in a forced-sale auction, individuals can download Khmer-language bidding application forms through links provided on the platform. The form typically requires the applicant’s name, sex, year of birth, identity card number and issue date, and address, together with details identifying the immovable property (including its ownership certificate number), the relevant enforcement case number and date, and the reference to the public auction or tender announcement issued by the court. Completed application forms must be submitted directly to the specific municipal or provincial court that issued the forced sale. For further inquiries about a particular forced sale, interested parties should likewise contact the relevant municipal or provincial court. Forced Sale of Immovable Property in Cambodia The publication of these notices relates to the forced sale procedure for immovable property under Cambodia’s Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). Unlike property seizure by a court, a forced sale is a compulsory execution proceeding—a subsequent enforcement step that arises only after an underlying dispute has been adjudicated and a debtor fails to pay the debt or outstanding amount due under a final and binding judgment or other enforceable title of execution. For the purposes of this procedure, the term “immovable property” under the CPC refers to land, registered buildings, jointly held shares of such property, registered
Read More
July 30, 2026
Thailand’s cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation introducing significant changes to the calculation of old-age pension and old-age gratuity benefits under the Social Security Fund. The reform would replace the current pension calculation method with a career average revalued earnings (CARE) model designed to better reflect an individual’s lifetime contributions while supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the Social Security Fund. The changes are also intended to improve fairness and align Thailand’s pension framework with international practices. Key proposed changes under the draft ministerial regulation are outlined below. CARE-Based Formula for Old-Age Pension Calculations Currently, old-age pensions are calculated based on the insured person’s average salary over the preceding 60 months. The proposed regulation would replace this approach with the CARE model, under which pension benefits will be calculated based on earnings throughout an individual’s entire working life. Historical earnings will be revalued to reflect their present value before the pension benefit is calculated. According to the Ministry of Labor, this change is intended to better align pension benefits with an individual’s lifetime contribution history and provide a fairer basis for calculating benefits. Pension Accrual Rate for Contributions Exceeding 180 Months Under the current rules, insured persons who contribute for more than 180 months receive an additional pension accrual of 1.5% for each completed 12-month contribution period, with any remaining months disregarded. The proposed regulation would instead calculate the additional accrual on a monthly basis at a rate of 0.125% of actual monthly contributions; this aims to make pension benefits more accurately reflect the actual duration of each individual’s contribution history. Transitional Protections for Insured Persons The draft regulation includes transitional protections for both existing pension recipients and those who will become eligible within five years of the CARE model taking effect. For existing recipients, the following protections
Read More
July 15, 2026
On July 8, 2026, Thailand enacted a new law significantly expanding the framework for government service delivery and licensing facilitation. The Facilitation of Licensing and Public Services Consideration Act B.E. 2569 (2026) (Facilitation Act 2026) replaces and expands the framework of governmental services under the Facilitation of Official Licensing Consideration Act B.E. 2558 (2015) (Facilitation Act 2015) and broadens its scope to cover public services, administrative processes, and public benefits. The Facilitation Act 2026 aims to modernize government services by promoting e-filing, reducing administrative burdens and repeated document requests, and improving predictability. For businesses, this should ease compliance and shorten approval timelines, subject to implementing regulations and agency readiness. Public Services Facilitation Scope The Facilitation Act 2015 applied mainly to permissions, registrations, and notifications required before conducting activities that require licenses, certificates, permits, approvals, or registrations. The Facilitation Act 2026 broadens this framework to include public services and other benefits, such as welfare, subsidies, and grants, provided to Thai citizens, expanding government agencies’ responsibilities beyond licensing facilitation into a wider administrative-service framework. It also introduces a broader definition of “government agency” to include central, regional, and local government bodies, state enterprises, public organizations, and other state entities. Licensing Changes The Facilitation Act 2026 introduces a “super license” (termed a “main license” under the act) that exempts the holder from obtaining multiple related or ancillary licenses issued by different government agencies. Obtaining a super license deems the licensee to have automatically obtained the related “sublicenses” required to conduct the relevant activities. The cabinet will designate eligible activities by royal decree. The act also introduces an expedited licensing option, allowing applicants to pay an additional fee to fast-track their applications in urgent cases. Expedited processing must not interfere with standard application timelines. The criteria, procedures, conditions, and fees for expedited licensing
Read More
July 10, 2026
Vietnam has taken a significant step in regulating its e-commerce sector with the issuance of a new decree guiding the country’s recently enacted Law on E-Commerce. Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP, issued on June 30, 2026, and taking effect the following day, addresses mandatory platform policies, registration requirements for offshore platforms, additional obligations on platform operators, and market access conditions for foreign investors. Mandatory Policy Contents The decree sets out detailed guidance on the required contents of various platform policies, covering pricing, payment, display priority, livestream sales, delivery, returns, method of service provision, and service termination and refunds. Clarification of Obligations for Platform Operators The decree provides clarification of the obligations applicable to platform operators. Notably, intermediary e-commerce platform operators with online ordering functions must: Collect specific information to implement electronic identity verification of sellers; Cooperate with regulators by reporting online through the state e-commerce management system and by blocking, suspending, or removing content upon request of a competent authority; Maintain a mechanism to store contract data, including price, product or service information, and parties’ information, for at least three years from the date of contract conclusion; and If qualifying as a “large digital platform” under consumer protection law, maintain an online system for receiving and handling complaints and requests, and comply with enhanced content-removal requirements. Registration Requirements for Offshore Platforms Offshore e-commerce platforms, whether direct-sales, intermediary, social-network-based, or integrated, that conduct e-commerce activity in Vietnam must register with the Ministry of Industry and Trade if the platform: Allows Vietnamese-language selection; Uses a “.vn” domain; or Reaches 100,000 or more transactions with Vietnam-based buyers within a calendar year. Notably, the registration requirement now captures not only traditional intermediary platforms, but also direct-sales platforms. Foreign Investment Conditions Foreign investors holding a controlling interest in an intermediary e-commerce platform, a social media platform
Read More