Name: Putu Deniar Sekar Putri

Student id.: 016201900093

Class: French 1

Leadership Final Test

1. How did the government of Laos perceive the outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan
during January to February 2020, before it was considered a pandemic by WHO
on 11 March 2020? For this purpose, you are expected to examine the way Laos
utilize 3 leadership principles out of 10 following principles.

The Covid-19 first detected in Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, on the latest December
2019. On 30 January 2020, WHO declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern, it’s means there were 9,700 confirmed cases in China and 106 cases in
19 countries.1 Responding to this, Laos government prepared for the Covid-19 outbreak that
can infected to the Lao’s people. The government of Laos use the principles of leadership to
overcome the Covid-19 disease outbreak in the country. Three leadership principles including
figurehead, liaison and monitor were implemented by Laos government during January to
February 2020.
The government as the figurehead, on 19-20 February 2020, Laos government conduct
meeting to resolved that the relevant authorities should continue to implement the strict
measures imposed by the government to prevent the outbreak of the deadly virus.2 This is
related because Laos is very close to China. In additional, Laos authorities warned people not
to travel to places with high virus outbreak and installed thermal scanners to prevent people
who might carrying the coronavirus.3
Liaison principle is a principle to communicate with internal and external contacts. 4
This can be seen from Laos supported the China who’s against the outbreak and Laos learn
how to handling the disease from the China authority. The Chinese government appreciated
the Laos government for conducting and hosting special meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers
- China authority in Vientiane to discuss, sharing experience of prevention, cooperation and

1
(PAHO, 2020)
2
(Govt vows to keep Laos free from Covid-19, 2020)
3
Ibid.
4
(BillT, Michele & Mind Tools Content Team, n.d.)
also providing necessary assistance to overcome the disease on 20 February 2020. 5 The
government of Laos as the monitor, according to Lao Foreign Minister, the country improves
and adjust its measures in prevention of the Covid-19 in line with the real situation of each
period.6 Although, there is no found Covid-19 cases, the government need for prevention and
careful preparation and the Foreign Minister said that "our country remains highly vulnerable
as the country shares border with five countries and there are many travellers from countries
that have reported COVID-19 cases.7

2. What domestic and diplomatic mechanism were applied by Laos once the director
general of WHO stated on 11 March 2020, that the outbreak has reached a global
pandemic level? Can we consider Laos performed well?

Laos country applied the domestic and diplomatic mechanism to fight against this global
pandemic. When WHO declared this virus a global pandemic, in Laos itself there had not been
found cases of Covid19 that infected the Lao’s people. Despite the absence of the case, the
Laos government began to implement the regulation by WHO. The Laos government adopted
measures to fight against Covid19 such as closing border with neighbouring countries, advising
against mass gatherings, closing entertainment business and schools.8 On 18 March 2020, the
Laos government temporarily revoked the visa exemptions.9 Also, the foreigners who already
got the visa has to acquire the certificate of health and telling the recent movements. Laos
which borders directly with Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and China, applied a regulation that
every foreigner who travel and visit Laos without visa, now must contact the Lao embassy or
consulate for the further guidance. Another action taken by Laos government is to close the
border bridge that connects the capital of Laos and Nong Khai province, Thailand. Starting on
22 March 2020, Laos only allows commercial vehicles to cross the border with Thailand. In
Wattay International airport, the immigrant officials scanning all internationals arrival and Lao
citizens has to self-isolation for 14 days who arrived from countries with high Covid19
outbreaks.

5
(Xinhua, 2020)
6
(Lao gov't to improve preventive measures against COVID-19, 2020)
7
Ibid.
8
(Laos records first two coronavirus cases, 2020)
9
(Laos Travel Restrictions: Travel Advisories for COVID-19, 2020)
 The lockdown applied in Laos on 29 March, when Prime Minister ordered a shutdown of
all non-essential activities.10 Chinese authorities delivered about 2,000 coronavirus test kits and
doing “face mask diplomacy.”11 According to ASEAN Brief website, The US government
provided help equipment including 440 protective goggles, 1,500 surgical gowns, and 220 face
shields, along with biohazard disposal bags, aprons, N95 face masks, safety boxes, gloves, and
hand sanitizer supplies.12 Furthermore, Vietnam donate medical materials including 333,000
standard face masks, 1,000 of protective clothing sets, and some medical equipment, which is
worth over US$300,000 according to Laos News Agency (KPL).13

3. If we examine the development in late April 2020, can we consider that the
government of Laos has done well in dealing in Covid19? Are there unsolved
problems?

The development of Covid19 outbreaks in Laos at the late April 2020 has reached in
total 19 cases. According to Lao Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meaungpak, there were
no additional patients for the past two weeks, there is no deaths patient infected Covid-19 in
Laos and there were nine patients recovered. The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-
19 Prevention and Control announced it had been monitoring 639 people at 147
accommodation centers across the country along with 400 people self-isolating at home, and
Laos already tested 2,184 suspected cases.14
As is well known, the population of Laos is very dependent on agriculture sector so that
during the lockdown, there was a significant economic downturn. Certainly, the citizens cannot
leave the house and carry out activities as usual. The government efforts must be commensurate
with the losses suffered due to the effects of coronavirus. Respond to that, The World Bank’s
Regional Vice-Presidency of the East Asia and Pacific Region approved US$18 million for
Laos to help in responding the COVID-19 pandemic.15
Furthermore, Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith joined progress
of Covid-19 summit via video conference as the co-Chairs of the Special ASEAN-US Foreign

10
(Laos Celebrate New Year Under Covid-19 Cloud, 2020)
11
(Lintner, 2020)
12
(Dezan Shira & Associates, 2020)
13
(Vietnam assists Laos to fight Covid-19 with medical supplies, 2020)
14
(Live COVID-19 updates: Laos sees zero case in 21 days, Indonesia's total cases top 11,000, 2020)
15
(The World Bank, 2020)
Ministers’ Meeting that conducted on 22-23 April 2020.16 The main agenda of the meeting was
discussing about the ASEAN-US cooperation in public health emergencies, especially in
countering the COVID-19 pandemic, and shared commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-
US Strategic Partnership.17 Also, the purpose of the online meeting is to emphasize countries
in the importance of accurate information and transparency to prevent the misinformation about
the development of Covid-19. Of course, to fight against the Covid-19 outbreaks is needed the
good cooperation within the international government, government of Laos and the society. If
seen from the cases of the spread in Laos is less than other countries. The small number could
be due to the handling in the spread of the virus that has been done quite well by the Laos
government, but the government is urged to remain vigilant to dealing this outbreak.

16
(Joint Statement From the Co-Chairs of the Special ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), 2020)
17
Ibid.
References
BillT, Michele & Mind Tools Content Team. (n.d.). Mintzberg's Management Roles: Identifying the
Roles Managers Play. Retrieved from Mind Tools:
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Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2020/04/04/vietnam-assists-laos-to-fight-
covid-19-with-medical-supplies
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