Luang Prabang officials recently announced the temporary closure of services at all tourist sites in the province from April 1 till April 21 to minimise the risk of a Covid-19 outbreak.

Director of Luang Prabang Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Dr Soudaphone Khomthavong said yesterday that all tourist sites in the province were temporarily closed including the old royal palace national museum, Mount Phousi, Kuang Xi Falls, Ting Cave and other attractions.

The announcement to temporarily close the tourist sites to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak was announced on March 31 ahead of the popular Lao New Year festival.

Tourism activities will reopen after conditions return to normal or Lao authorities control the Covid-19 outbreak.

Besides the closure of tourist sites, many Lao New Year activities in Luang Prabang that involve large crowds have also been cancelled.

These include the Miss Lao New Year contest, market fair, street-side water splashing, making sand stupas to bring good luck and other processions and events which involve large gatherings.

Lao New Year activities this year will be limited to small household Baci ceremonies and the blessing of Buddha images with water at temples.

Limits will be set on the number of people attending at any one time.

Elsewhere, the planned celebration of the Plain of Jars’ listing as a World Heritage Site and the National Games scheduled for Xiengkhuang provnince, the Kapok Festival in Bokeo province, and the BounPhee Ta Khon festival in Xayaboury province were also postponed, while national Best Students’ exams have also been cancelled.

Laos had 10 cases of Covid-19 with the patients in good condition and being treated for their symptoms, health authorities confirmed on April 1.

Lao’s health ministry advised residents on Covid-19 prevention measures including social distancing, frequent hand-washing with soap and covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing.