April 2, 2020
Location: Laos
Event: Closure of Private Hospitals and Clinics in Laos
On March 29 the Lao Prime Minister decreed that private hospitals and clinics in Laos will close in order to contain COVID 19. The Lao Ministry of Health announced the implementation of this order on April 2. Pursuant to this order, private hospitals and clinics are not to admit new patients; current patients will be released after successful completion of their treatment. U.S. citizens seeking medical assistance should therefore visit Lao Government Hospitals, which remain open.
The U.S. Embassy continues to plan a repatriation flight to the United States.
The remainder of this message is a duplicate of the April 1st, 2020 message.
April 1, 2020
Location: Laos
Event: Possible Evacuation Flights for United States Citizens
The Department of State is preparing a potential evacuation flight with capacity for private U.S. citizens on a reimbursable basis, leaving Wattay International Airport in early April 2020, and proceeding to a destination in the United States TBD. Estimated cost per passenger is subject to change based on aircraft availability, flight restrictions, and a variety of factors outside the control of the Embassy. Details on the destination of the flight are forthcoming; passengers will be responsible for booking domestic flights to their final destinations.
Please note that all passengers will need to reimburse the U.S. Government for the flight, and a promissory note must be signed before boarding.
U.S. citizens in possession of valid U.S. passports who are interested and prepared to travel should complete this survey HERE immediately. Please do not call to confirm receipt of your email; you will be contacted with additional information.
Each traveler should submit their information individually (one form per passenger). Parents/guardians should submit one form for each child that will be accompanying them, and note their relationship in the “Special Considerations” box in the form.
U.S. citizens without a valid U.S. passport who wish to depart on this flight should send their name, date of birth, and the number of their most recent expired passport to laosevac@state.gov. Please indicate that the passport is expired. You will be contacted with information on how to obtain an emergency passport.
U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (holders of valid Green Cards) who wish to depart on this flight should send their name, date of birth, and A number (Green Card number) to laosevac@state.gov.
Individuals on this transport may be subject to CDC screening, health observation, monitoring requirements and existing DHS entry requirements. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Who is eligible to be included in a repatriation flight?
U.S. citizens are eligible. One parent or guardian escorting a U.S. citizen minor is eligible, provided they have a valid U.S. visa. The Embassy will not adjudicate visa applications in support of evacuation operations. Others who may be eligible: Foreign spouses or children of U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents. Listed below are minimum requirements for those categories. Even if you meet the criteria we cannot guarantee you will receive a seat.
Foreign Spouse:
· Valid visa for entry to the United States
· Valid foreign Passport
· Original evidence of qualifying relationship to U.S. citizen on the flight (e.g. original marriage certificate)
Child of a U.S. citizen:
· Original birth certificate clearly indicating the parent’s U.S. citizenship.
· Valid visa for entry to the United States
Please note that the U.S. Embassy is currently unable to process visas.
U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR):
· Green Card, Foreign Passport, and evidence of residency in the United States in the past 12 months.
· If you have not been physically present in the United States in the past 12 months, you do not qualify for repatriation as an LPR.
· An LPR’s family members who have not obtained green cards are not eligible for evacuation assistance.
Can nannies or household employees be included on repatriation flights?
Household servants and nannies are not considered immediate family members and are not eligible for U.S. Government-sponsored evacuation.
Pets
Pets cannot be accommodated on a U.S. Government charter or U.S. military evacuation flight. We suggest that you make private arrangements for care or transportation of your pets as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Repatriation are answered on our website at:
https://la.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/evacuation-flight-faqs/
Actions to Take:
· Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
· For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
· Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
· Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Laos.
· Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance:
• U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Laos
+856 (0)21 487 000
conslao@state.gov
la.usembassy.gov<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fla.usembassy.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cdavisa%40state.gov%7C3b664c7c26da449dfe4008d7d6e683fa%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637214157864813666&sdata=d%2FbBuqW91FYb1IVy5HAGH9FFCOLQKePASaNNG4JO4I8%3D&reserved=0>
• State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
• Laos Country Information<https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html#_blank>
• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)<https://step.state.gov/#_blank> to receive Alerts.
