Laos Travel Advisory: Level 4: Do not travel

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: STEP Notifications . . . 

Subject: Laos Travel Advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, August 9, 2021

Do not travel to Laos due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Read the Department of State's COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not issued a Travel Health Notice for Laos for COVID-19, indicating an unknown level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Commercial transportation to/from Laos is available on a limited basis. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in Laos.

Reconsider travel to:

• Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest.

Exercise increased caution in:

• Remote areas along the border with Burma due to crime.
• Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Saravane) due to unexploded bombs.

Read the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Laos:

• See the U.S. Embassy's web page regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC's webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
• Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Laos.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist.

Xaisomboun Province

There is a continued threat of violence in Xaisomboun Province.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Xiasomboun Province as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas on the Border with Burma

Bandits, drug traffickers, and other people pursuing illegal activities operate in these areas, as do armed groups opposed to the Burmese government.

Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7

There are large numbers of unexploded bombs in these areas left over from the Indochina War.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to COVID-19 information.