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 14, 2020

Laos Further Details COVID-19 Preventive Measures for Business Operators

Subscribe to Updates

On May 11, 2020, the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control (NTCCPC) issued Recommendations, no. 071, on the Conditions and Measures for Operations of Business Operators during the COVID-19 Outbreak. The recommendations generally ease the required preventive measures and replace the conditions and measures issued on April 21; the new list of conditions and measures must be adopted before a company’s operations will be allowed to resume in full.

Workplace Conditions

  • The working environment must be spacious enough to guarantee social distancing of at least one meter.
  • The canteen must be sufficiently spacious, and operators must guarantee good hygiene, prohibit the common use of utensils, and ensure one-meter social distancing. Persons suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms must use a separate room.
  • Clean water (including for drinking), handwashing stations, alcohol gel, and masks must be available for all employees.
  • There must be a security guard to inspect personnel who leave or enter the premises.
  • There must be a cleaning team to dispose of waste properly. Waste disposal bins should have a lid.
  • Project, company, and factory operators must facilitate periodic inspections and visits from medical teams from the relevant authority who will carry out the inspection.

Measures to Implement

  • The body temperature of all employees must be checked prior to their entering or leaving the working area, dormitory, and canteen, from morning to evening every day. Additionally, alcohol hand sanitizer must be provided to all employees. Operators must also keep a written record of the symptoms of each person. Any employee who exhibits a fever (above 37.5 degrees Celsius), a cough, or difficulty breathing must be separated from the working area and put in isolated quarantine. Operators should immediately alert the authorities via emergency number 165 or 166, and have the person examined by a doctor.
  • Masks must be provided to all employees and worn during working hours and at all gatherings of personnel. Handwashing stations must be situated at convenient locations.
  • Employees must observe social distancing of one meter. Activities where this social distancing requirement cannot be guaranteed are prohibited (e.g., sports, celebrations, social events, etc.).
  • Prevention measures for drivers transporting goods to the premises, suppliers, or any relevant person from outside the company must be comparable to those for employees.
  • All projects, companies, and factories must have their working areas, canteens, toilets, dormitories, warehouses, and storage rooms cleaned every day after working hours.

Overall, these measures reduce the emphasis on health risks posed by large factories and reduce the NTCCPC requirements for business operators looking to resume operations, including the removal of prohibitions on new hiring, and on outside parties visiting the premises. Also removed are the requirements to have a car standing ready to transport symptomatic persons and a 24-hour reserve of water.

With Laos still transitioning out of lockdown, work has so far only been resumed on a rotation staff basis. To have this rotation requirement removed and receive permission to resume normal staffing, operators of projects, companies, and factories must first ensure that the above conditions and measures can be observed, and then request authorization from the relevant authorities. The authorities will then conduct an on-site inspection before authorizing the resumption of operations.

Failure to follow these measures may result in a warning, suspension of activities, or a fine, while the Penal Code allows imprisonment for breaching hygiene measures. In addition, operators will be considered responsible for damages if they are found to have not observed these measures.

For more details on these measures, or on any aspect of doing business in Laos during this time, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].

Related Professionals

Practices

Corporate/M&A

Employment

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

May 28, 2025
On May 6, 2025, Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) issued Prakas No. 112/25 on Overtime Work, Work on Paid Holidays, and Suspension of Weekly Days Off, which outlines specific conditions, formalities, and procedures in relation to working overtime, work on paid holidays, and suspension of weekly days off. Overtime Work Employees may be requested to perform overtime work based on the operational needs of the employer, particularly in the following circumstances: When undertaking special assignments related to inventory and balance sheets, liquidation deadlines, and closing of accounting books. In cases of excessive workload arising from exceptional circumstances where alternative measures are not feasible for the employer. However, the overtime work must be conducted voluntarily and must not be enforced through coercion or disciplinary action. Although this new prakas on overtime work does not specify the maximum allowable hours of overtime work, the Labor Law states that overtime must not cause total working hours to exceed 10 hours per day, except in cases of disaster prevention or rectification. Work on Paid Public Holidays Employees are entitled to paid public holidays announced annually by the MLVT. However, when work cannot be suspended, employees may be requested to perform work on paid public holidays on a voluntary basis. Suspension of Weekly Days Off When urgent work is required to prevent imminent accidents or to repair damage to materials, facilities, or buildings, weekly days off may be suspended for up to two nonconsecutive days per month. This applies to both employees of the affected enterprise and those of external entities engaged in the repairs of the affected enterprise. Reduction of Weekly Days Off Due to Weather Certain categories of enterprises are permitted to reduce employees’ weekly days off by up to two nonconsecutive days per month as compensation for working
Read More
May 27, 2025
Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) has issued a regulation mandating the closure of the legacy “e-Registration” system for registration of juristic persons, effective June 1, 2025. The e-Registration system will be formally discontinued as part of Thailand’s transition to the “DBD Biz Regist” digital platform, which aims to modernize and streamline online registration processes for corporate entities. Beginning July 1, 2025, the DBD will suspend all paper-based application submissions. All corporate registration applications for partnerships and private limited companies must be submitted online through the DBD Biz Regist system. The DBD introduced the DBD Biz Regist system in 2024 by a regulation of the Office of Central Company and Partnership Registration. While paper-based registration has remained available during the transition period, it has been limited to a reduced number of cases. DBD Biz Regist System The key principles of the DBD Biz Regist system include: Online submission and identity verification. The application process is fully digital throughout the entire registration procedure. Users can create accounts on the DBD Biz Regist website and complete identity verification online through ThaID, National Digital ID (NDID), or the DBD e-Service application—which is currently the only online option available to foreign nationals. In-person verification before a DBD registrar remains available as an alternative option. Electronic signatures. The system supports electronic signatures without requiring physical appearance for document signing. Users can sign documents electronically through ThaID, NDID, or the DBD e-Service application. Consent form process. After the DBD registrar approves an online application submission, the system will generate a consent form to be signed by the relevant parties. This form certifies the information presented in the online registration application. Applicants may either print and physically sign the consent form before uploading it to the system or sign it electronically through the DBD Biz Regist platform. Digital certified corporate documents. Upon completion of the
Read More
May 26, 2025
On September 6, 2024, Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOAF) issued Decision No. 4565/MAF on Forest Carbon Management. This decision, which took effect on October 29, 2024, enables Laos to participate in both domestic and international carbon markets. It outlines comprehensive guidelines for forest carbon activities, including investment procedures, carbon credit trading, and benefit allocation. The Department of Forestry (DOF), under the MOAF, oversees these activities and grants relevant permissions. Definitions The decision defines key terms related to forest carbon management: Forest carbon: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) absorbed by forests, calculated in tonnes per hectare. Forest carbon credit: Quantity of CO₂ reduction, absorption, and storage, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), achieved through various projects or activities. These credits are verified for the reduction, absorption, and storage of CO₂ to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. They can be exchanged and traded in accordance with established standards for greenhouse gas emissions. Forest carbon trading: An agreement between a buyer (domestic or foreign legal entity or government) and a seller (the owner of a forest carbon project) to trade tCO2e . This trading allows the buyer to offset greenhouse gas emissions that exceed the emission allowances set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change. The forest carbon sold becomes the property of the buyer. Forest Carbon Business Operations According to the decision forest carbon business operations include: Cooperation between the government and development partners: This involves bilateral and multilateral cooperation based on international agreements and treaties. The use of carbon credits from this cooperation is not market-based but agreement-based, contributing to Laos’ national climate change goals. Forest carbon investment: This includes direct government investments and joint investments with the private sector, international organizations, or communities. These investments aim to create forest carbon credits without granting exclusive rights to forest
Read More
May 9, 2025
On May 6, 2025, Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) issued Prakas No. 113/25, introducing new obligations for enterprise owners and directors regarding the use and maintenance of enterprise payroll books. Under this prakas, enterprise owners or directors are required to: Utilize and maintain the enterprise payroll book in accordance with the official template provided by the MLVT. Make the enterprise payroll book available to labor inspectors for annotations related to compliance with labor laws and regulations. Review and adjust (if necessary) internal practices based on any findings, recommendations, and restrictions issued by labor inspectors during inspections. The official enterprise payroll book template can be downloaded via the ministry’s Labor Automated Central Management System (LACMS). Additional requirements include: Retention of supporting documents related to the payroll book at the enterprise’s head office to facilitate inspections. Preservation of completed payroll books for a minimum of three years after their closure. Downloading a new payroll book from the LACMS once the current one is fully used. Labor inspectors are authorized to conduct inspections of the payroll book and related documentation at any time. Noncompliance with the provisions of Prakas No. 113/25 may result in significant monetary penalties, as stipulated in Cambodia’s Labour Law. This prakas also repeals Prakas No. 268, dated October 11, 2001, and any provisions in related regulations that conflict with Prakas No. 113/25. All enterprises are strongly advised to comply with the new requirements and begin using the updated enterprise payroll book template from the LACMS to avoid potential penalties.
Read More