(KPL) Border authorities have advised migrant workers who wish to return to the Lao PDR during this time of Covid-19 to do so through legal means.

Though measures have been put in place, some migrant workers have returned to the country using illegal means and consequently placing themselves at risk of falling victim to various forms of exploitation and bringing Covid-19 to their home country.

“Officials at consul will give an advice on how to prepare documents necessary for safe home trip. We have established a good coordination mechanism between our border checkpoint and the embassy to ensure the return of migrant workers,” said Mr Sounchai Satakhoun.

“Champassak has received a relatively large influx of returning workers from Thailand. Though the province is prone to Covid-19 infection, we have managed to keep the province free of Covid-19,” said Mr Sounchai Satakhoun.

Champassak has over 20,000 migrant workers returning from Thailand over the last three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A few days after a nationwide lockdown was announced by the government in late March, 4,000-5,000 migrant workers returned to the province from Thailand on a daily basis.

KPL