Laos travel advisories

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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Safety Information
Travel advisories Updated on Dec. 25, 2024, 4:22 a.m.
2
Stop all non-essential travel

The following information has been provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The information is subject to change without notice. This is not a comprehensive list, and you are urged to check the most up-to-date information and details.

Table of contents

Entry information for travelers from Japan

No information available

COVID-19 risks

Oct. 19, 2022, midnight

In light of the fact that the global infection situation is generally improving, and that G7 countries have already stopped designating levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information will be issued on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).

Aug. 24, 2022, midnight

On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).

July 25, 2022, midnight

On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern." According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.

July 1, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

May 26, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

April 1, 2022, midnight

The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.

Nov. 29, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.

Aug. 13, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

May 18, 2021, midnight

Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".

Oct. 30, 2020, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

Local and national news

Information for the past 30 days.

Warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2))

Dec. 16, 2024, midnight wide area information
We would like to provide you with a warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2)).

Warning about special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)

Nov. 29, 2024, midnight wide area information
We will issue wide-area information on special frauds.

Caution regarding protests and other activities related to the situation in the Middle East

Oct. 5, 2024, midnight wide area information
1

Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates

Information from the past two weeks.

[Attention] Safety measures for the New Year holidays, closing days of the Consulate, and transition to a centralized passport production system for 2025 passports

Dec. 23, 2024, 5:46 p.m.
1. During the New Year period, there is an increase in theft cases such as pickpocketing, baggage snatching, and burglary, as well as fraud and other crimes targeting money. Events that attract large numbers of people may also become targets of terrorist attacks. Please take care to avoid becoming a victim of crime by referring to the warnings and "Safety Guidelines" issued so far.
(1) Cases of theft by individuals claiming to be bank employees residing in Australia We continue to receive multiple reports of Japanese tourists being approached in a friendly manner by individuals claiming to be bank employees residing in Australia near the night market along the Mekong River in the capital Vientiane. After becoming friendly and drinking beer together, their money was stolen without their knowledge.
To avoid becoming a victim of a similar crime, if a stranger approaches you in a friendly manner, please ignore them and leave the situation quickly. Also, please be sure to take note of the following points.
・Do not easily respond even if a stranger calls out to you.
- Do not eat or drink anything offered to you by a stranger (they may have laced it with sleeping pills).
- Even if you are told that exchanging drinks is a cultural or customary practice, do not drink anything unless you are sure that it is unopened.
- Even if you leave your seat to go to the toilet, etc., carry your bag containing valuables with you without asking others to keep an eye on them.
-If you go out and eat or drink with someone you have become close to, keep a record of the experience by taking a commemorative photo and exchanging contact information.

(2) Terrorism Situation Events are expected to be held throughout Laos during the Christmas and New Year period. Japanese residents and travelers in Laos are advised to make an effort to obtain the latest information and take the following measures to avoid being caught up in any unforeseen incidents.
●In particular, areas around tourist facilities, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, public transportation, religious facilities, etc. are prone to terrorist attacks as they are places where large numbers of people gather, so caution is required at all times.
In addition to local media reports, please make an effort to obtain the latest security information from Tabi-Reji, the Overseas Safety Website, etc., and be sure to take appropriate and sufficient safety measures according to the situation.
● Related link [Overseas Safety Cheat Sheet 2024 ~ Overseas Travel Trouble Avoidance Manual]
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/pamph/pdf/toranomaki.pdf
[Golgo 13's overseas safety measures manual for small and medium-sized enterprises]
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/press4_009327.html
[Safety Guide] (Convention website)
https://www.la.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100762744.pdf

2. New Year's Closing Dates The Embassy will be closed from Saturday, December 28, 2024 to Sunday, January 5, 2025. Please be aware of this if you are planning to apply for certificates, passports, etc.

3. Transition to the centralized passport production system for 2025 passports (1) As we announced in our consular email on September 16, we plan to start issuing "2025 passports" using a plastic base material on the photo page from March 24, 2025, in order to strengthen measures against passport forgery. Your current passport can be used until its expiration date. Please take this opportunity to check the expiration date.
(2) Currently, it takes about one week from application to issuance of a passport, but from March 24th next year, the passport will be produced in Japan and delivered to the Consulate-General of Japan, so the process will take about one month. If you apply in Japan, it will take about two weeks.
(3) We will provide further details on our website, etc., but since it will take longer to issue passports than at present, we would like you to take this opportunity to check whether your current passport is still valid and consider applying for a new passport as soon as possible (you can apply for a passport renewal if there is less than one year left on your passport).
(4) Regarding the specific date of issuance, we will inform you of the expected date (approximate date) at the time of application, and we will contact you again when the issuance is ready (if you applied in person at the counter, we will contact you by phone, and if you applied online on ORR Net, we will send an email to the registered email address).

Advance reservations are required for consular services (excluding visas and overseas voting services). To make a reservation, please send an email to consular@vt.mofa.go.jp with (1) your name, (2) desired date and time of your visit, and (3) the purpose of your visit.

Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan in Laos Tel: 021-414-400
Email: consular@vt.mofa.go.jp

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