A further auxiliary border gate has been opened between Laos' Houaphanh province and Son La province in the northwest of the country from mid-December as a means of facilitating greater trade exchange between the two neighbours.

The Laos administration strengthens measures to curb the potential spread of the COVID-19 pandemic through border gates.

The policy follows the Laotian Government permitting the administration of Houaphanh province to temporarily open Ban Dan auxiliary border gate in order to connect with Chieng Khuong border gate in Son La province.

The purpose of opening the additional border gate is to boost imports and exports of agricultural products, while simultaneously strictly following novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and control measures.

This comes after the Laotian Government re-opened some auxiliary border gates with neighbouring countries in an effort to support their enterprises in facilitating trade exchange and import-export activities.