VientianeThe First National English Language Newspaper established in 1994 Times FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2021 ISSUE 167 www.vientianetimes.org.la and www.vientianetimeslao.la 4500 kip Inside Feasibility study scheduled for new Queues form early for Triangle Special Economic Zone free masks Times Reporters on morning Phongsaly provincial of Temasek Media must provide authorities have given the better quality green light to a Chinese Foundation’s information: panelists business group to carry [Page 3] out survey and a feasibility fifth study on the development of a new Triangle Special distribution Economic Zone (SEZ), local media reported. exercise If approved, the zone would be located in the SINGAPORE (The Straits province’s Nhot-ou district Times/ANN) -- People at the shared border between began queueing for free Laos, China and Vietnam. masks early on Thursday Schools take action A Memorandum of morning (August 26) as against rising Understanding (MOU) Temasek Foundation kicked pandemic-linked was signed on August 24 off its fifth Stay Prepared student suicides between a representative initiative. [Page 5] of the business group and Each household can provincial authorities, Phongsaly provincial authorities and a Chinese investor shake hands after signing a collect 50 medical-grade permitting the investors to Memorandum of Understanding. --Photo Lao Economic Daily surgical masks and 25 N95 carry out the survey and respirator masks at selected feasibility study in relation reported. for the project, Deputy the remaining 150 square malls and supermarket to the project. Under the MOU, the Director General of the kilometres would be used outlets islandwide from Witnessing the investor is required to begin provincial Planning and for agriculture and industry Thursday to September 26. signing at the provincial the survey and feasibility Investment Department, development. The exercise was Administration Office were study within 30 days of Mrs Khammala Souvong, The precise areas announced earlier this month Luang Namtha provincial Governor Mr signing the agreement, told those attending the allocated for development and initially scheduled to continues strict Khamphoy Vannasarn, the which is valid for 18 months. signing ceremony. will be more clearly start after National Day. Covid-19 prevention group’s executives, and The Chinese group will The site would include defined after the survey is However, it was pushed [Page 11] officials from both sides, survey an area of about 100 square kilometres for complete. A report in this back to August 26 to give the Lao Economic Daily 250 square kilometres services and tourism, while CONTINUED PAGE 3 participating organisations more time to test the distribution system. On Thursday morning, Luang Namtha bans travel to and from Bokeo over at Lot One shopping mall in Choa Chu Kang, Times Reporters authorities are now ramping signs were placed in the up Covid testing for people mall to direct people to The move comes after who have come into contact a collection point at the it was learnt that people with individuals known customer service counter on from Bokeo provincial to be infected, and will the second floor. who were infected with quarantine them, the Bokeo the virus travelled through Newspaper reported on Some people began Luang Namtha and came August 25. queueing for the masks into contact with numerous In Luang Prabang, before 10am, and mall staff people in the province. provincial authorities could be seen directing the Now no one from Bokeo have placed Khomkhuang early birds to come back will be allowed to enter village in the provincial later, or to scan a QR code Luang Namtha until the capital under lockdown until and join a virtual queue. travel ban is revoked. September 8 and classified it One such early bird was Bokeo provincial as a red zone, after locally- retired typist Madam Tan, authorities have ordered transmitted cases were who arrived at the mall a lockdown in the Golden identified in the area. around 9.30am. Triangle Special Economic Entry to and exit from “I came because I thought Zone in Tonpheung district Khomkhuang village is people may be kiasu, I was until August 30 after banned and checkpoints worried people would come locally-transmitted cases have been set up to and queue early,” said the Luang Namtha authorities have banned travel to and from Bokeo province until September were identified in the area. prevent people travelling retired typist, who declined 8 in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid as cases surge in Bokeo. Luang Namtha provincial CONTINUED PAGE 3 to give her full name. She said that when she had previously tried August 26, 2021 to collect free Vitamin D supplements during Temasek 9,590 9,596 1,496 1,526 Foundation’s distribution 348.72 351.00 6,816 6,952 exercise in March this year, 11,240 11,296 86.33 88.05 supplies had run out by the 12,851 13,108 0.489 0.499 second day, so she thought 6,771 6,906 2,189 2,242 7,391 7,539 7.84 8.00 it best to arrive early for this 9,890 10,088 1,185 1,209 month’s mask distribution exercise. Other seniors in the CONTINUED PAGE 5 2 Home news Friday August 27, 2021 Vientiane Times Savannakhet in need of supplies for quarantine centres On Wednesday, 631 new infections were reported in Savannakhet province, comprising 80 imported cases and eight that were transmitted locally, as well as 543 cases among prisoners. Following a rise in the number of locally-transmitted Covid infections, provincial authorities have ordered a Representatives of the government and development partners attend the launch of the Legal lockdown of the province Aid Webpage. until September 5. Provincial authorities have People prepare a quarantine facility in Savannakhet province. classified certain villages as Justice ministry, partners --Photo Savanphathana News red and yellow zones, with entry to and exit from red zone Times Reporters items in support of efforts to areas temporarily banned. bolster access to legal aid contain the virus outbreak, Dr Travel in Kaysone Times Reporters government will pay for modern way. While there are now Sengdao said. Phomvihane city between lawyers’ fee if people in these “The launch of the Legal sufficient quarantine centres There are now 11 the hours of 8pm and 5am The Ministry of Justice categories need legal aid. Aid Webpage demonstrates and makeshift hospitals in quarantine centres that is also banned, except for a is continuing cooperation Mr Bountha said that in the United States’ firm Savannakhet province to can house more than hospital visit or in the event of with its partners to develop the past, when there was a commitment under the accommodate returning 10,000 people, and four an emergency such as a death, channels that encourage dispute or a lawsuit, many US-Laos Comprehensive migrant workers and makeshift hospitals that can although people wishing to vulnerable people to access people were reluctant to Partnership to promote the rule people who test positive for accommodate at least 2,000 travel must get permission legal aid. seek legal aid because they of law in Laos by increasing Covid-19, there is a shortage people. from the provincial Covid-19 Speaking at the launch of didn’t know how to go about access to justice for the of beds and other essential Schools, factories taskforce. the Legal Aid Webpage on it, meaning that reaching people of Laos,” said USAID equipment. and other buildings have Gatherings of more than August 26,Deputy Minister out for help was frustrating Country Representative Director of the Health been converted for use as 10 people are banned. Schools of Justice Mr Bountha and sometimes unjustly Michael Ronning. Department and Vice quarantine facilities and and the university, clinics, Xongyhethao said the addressed. The website will provide Chairman of the province’s makeshift hospitals. gold shops, money exchange government is working with One of the ministry’s a greater number of Lao Taskforce for Covid-19 One of these is a garment units, shops, spas, tourist sites, the United States Agency for priorities now is developing citizens with access to Prevention and Control, factory in Nonsavath village, internet cafés, snooker clubs International Development the Legal Aid Webpage important legal aid services, Dr Sengdao Sidalay, said Kaysone Phomvihane city, and sports facilities have been (USAID) in partnership with www.moj.gov.la) to provide including information and local authorities are trying which is being turned into a closed. the Asia Foundation, through citizens with information referrals for advice and to resolve the situation and quarantine facility. Restaurants may remain the Legal Aid Support about legal aid services. documentation. sourcing additional supplies. The National Taskforce open but must serve food on programme. Using this website, members The Legal Aid Webpage “We now have enough for Covid-19 Prevention a takeaway basis only. The programe aims to of the public can send will also support the Legal facilities but lack essential and Control announced Vehicles that are used help vulnerable people such questions and request advice Aid Decree’s purpose to materials to care for people on Thursday that 195 to transport goods, have a as the poor, disadvantaged, from the ministry. increase access to justice for being accommodated new infections had been valid business licence and people living with disabilities, This will play an all and ensure equality before at quarantine centres and reported across the country. are not based in a red zone children in need of special important role in furthering the law, with the aim of hospitals,” he said. Savannakhet province can continue to transport protection, victims of Laos’ economic growth and building a more secure, just However, several state recorded 41 new infections, goods between districts and violence, and victims of society’s needs by creating and prosperous society in and private entities are comprising 32 imported cases provinces, but drivers must human trafficking to get conditions that enable people Laos, including information providing medical experts, and nine locally-transmitted comply with the standard access to justice.