The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of Laos on Friday urged the Lao people countrywide to strictly abide by the new normal guidelines to prevent a possible second wave of COVID-19.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under Ministry of Health, Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, said at a press conference in the Lao capital Vientiane that everyone in Laos should fully comply with the government guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to new normal in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The public should avoid leaving home for unnecessary reasons, wear masks when going out or visiting risky places, avoid using public transport, and observe frequent hand washing with gels or soaps, according to the guidelines.

Social distancing of one to two meters must be observed, avoiding sharing personal belongings with others, and changing clothes once reaching home, are also among the requirements.

On Thursday, a total of 2,441 people entered Laos through international border checkpoints. The body temperature of each person entering Laos was checked and no one showed signs of fever.

Laos reported its first two COVID-19 confirmed cases on March 24.