Vientiane (VNA) - The Lao Ministry of Health recorded only nine cases of COVID-19 in the last 24hours, including six community infections and three imported.

Localauthorities have placed 21 areas of seven districts in the capital city of Vientiane under strictsupervision in order to contain COVID-19.

At a press conference, the ministry's representative emphasised prevention measures have resulted in a reduction in COVID-19 cases but many people have still failed to follow social distancing regulations.Many of the new COVID-19 cases are the results of neglecting prevention measures.

The country hasso far confirmed 1,943 cases of COVID-19 and 1,654 patients have recovered, whilethree died of the disease.

Meanwhile, Thailand will begin roll out its mass vaccination programme onJune 7.

Especially, foreigners living and working in the country and having registered for inoculation will receiveCOVID-19 vaccine shots from next week.

Deputy Directorof the Department of Disease Control (DCD) Sophon Iamsirithawornsaid the vaccination for foreign diplomats will be carried out on the same day withthe mass vaccination programme, based on an advanced pre-registration system.Expats are eligible for vaccine shots on the same day as locals with priority given to the elder and those with underlying conditions.

According to Sophon, Bangkok will receive morevaccines than other provinces because the dense population in the capital andthe complicated developments of COVID-19. As planned, nearly 1 million doses ofAstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines will be delivered to Bangkok and in the firsttwo weeks, and about 500,000 doses will be administered./.