Summary of Current Situation:
Laos is officially open for tourism. Currently in Phase 1 of a 3-phase ‘Lao Travel Green Zone Plan’, fully vaccinated travellers from 30 countries (listed below) may now enter Vientiane and, after a 24h quarantine, explore ‘Green Zones’ of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng before being able to explore ‘Green Trails’ including Oudomxay, Xataboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane and Champasak. More details below.
Requirements:
Currently, travellers can only enter Laos by booking through an approved tour operator or travel agency (EXO Travel is an approved tour operator). The following conditions will then apply for visitors to Laos during all three phases of the Lao Travel Green Zone Plan.
Pre-Arrival:
-Proof of full vaccination no less than 14 days prior to arrival
-PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
-Health coverage of no less than $50,000 per person
-EXO will submit an application on behalf of guests with proof of full vaccination, full itinerary, hotel confirmation and flight details
-After applications are approved by authorities, clients will need to apply for tourist visas with their nearest Lao Embassy. This may change after Phase 1.
Arrival:
-Download the contact tracing app ‘LaoStaySafe’
-Take another PCR test.
-Transfer to a ‘LaoSafe’ certified hotel and wait up to 24 hours for results from the PCR test. If negative, guests are free to explore Green Zone areas.
During Stay:
-Guests must stay in LaoSafe certified hotels
-Guests must use the LaoStaySafe app
-After a minimum of 3 days in a Green Zone area, guests will be free to explore areas designated as Green Trail destinations.
3 Phases:
Phase 1 (1 January – 31 March, 2022):
Countries Eligible: France, United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Finland, Israel, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, New Zealand, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Italy, USA, Canada, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.
Entry Points: Vientiane
Green Zone Areas: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng. After a minimum of 3 nights here they can then explore Green Trail Areas.
Green Trail Areas: Oudomxay, Xataboury, Xieng Khouang, Khammouane and Champasak
Scheduled Flights confirmed for BKK- VTE route with Lao Airlines from 7 Jan 2022, every Friday, once a week. Scheduled flights are planned for BKK-VTE route with Thai Airways/ Thai Smile, every Thursday and Saturday, from 3rd February 2022.
Phase 2 (1 April – 3o June, 2022):
Countries Eligible: to be determined.
Entry Points: Vientiane, Luang Prabang
Green Zone Areas: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Xieng Khoung, Khammouane, Champasak, Savannakhet. After a minimum of 3 nights here they can then explore Green Trail Areas.
Green Trail Areas: Houay Xay district of Bokeo Province, Luang Namtha, Sekong, Salavanh
Phase 3 (1 July 2022 – Onwards): Details still forthcoming, but it is expected that, at this time, the entire country will be open for travel with minimal restrictions in place.
We will continue updating this page as details arise. Please watch this space or reach out to our team with questions at: [email protected]
This article was originally published by Exotravel.com/blog/en. Read the original article here.
