A special economic zone in Laos run by a Chinese conglomerate was closed for two weeks last month (Jan 12-25) after a Chinese worker tested positive for Covid 19. The area was reopened after tests on 305 workers proved negative.
The complex of casinos,restaurants,hotels,bars,apartments and a hospital are operated by Hong Kong registered Kings Romans Group,owned by Zhao Wei under a 99 year lease from the Lao government. The group and Zhao were sanctioned in 2018 by the US Treasury Department for transnational criminal activities. An Australian employee in charge of security was also sanctioned by the US. that year
Kings Romans was accused of money laundering,drug trafficking, child prostitution and other criminal activity. Additionally,the Lao government took action to stop the trade in illegal wildlife, which was being served in restaurants.
Source: Radio Free Asia,a broadcasting corporation funded by the US government.