The 46 Filipinos and three (3) foreign nationals who joined the Myanmar National Airlines flight from Vientiane, Laos to Manila express their appreciation for the assistance extended by the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar and the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs in making the flight possible.

The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar, successfully repatriated forty-six (46) Filipinos and three (3) foreign nationals to Manila on 16 November 2020 via Myanmar National Airlines. The joint activity saw the repatriation of approximately 100 passengers from Myanmar and Laos to the Philippines, some of which were stranded due to the lack of flights or who lost their employment due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Passengers line up at the check-in counter at Wattay International Airport for the repatriation flight from Vientiane to Manila via Myanmar National Airlines.

The Filipinos expressed their appreciation of the assistance extended by the two Embassies and the Department of Foreign Affairs, particularly inmaking representations with MNA, as well as the appropriate Philippine and Lao government agencies for the approval of the flight, which allowed them to return home and reunite with their families before the holiday season.

Laos remains as a low-risk country for COVID-19, recording only twenty-four (24) cases from January to October 2020. The Lao government continues to implement policies and measures to prevent a second wave of the pandemic in Laos, such as closing international borders and entertainment venues, as well as limiting inbound travel to those with urgent work in the country. End