Press Releases

Starting January, the quota for Duty Free goods will be discontinued for those who were entitled so far.

Under the constant guidance of His Majesty The King, our COVID-19 pandemic responses averted a major public health crisis and made a well-timed cautious transition to Phase II on April 4, 2022. Supported by emerging evidence and viral characteristics and efficacy of vaccines, further relaxations came into effect on May 2, 2022.

At this stage where we are considering some of the final relaxations of the COVID-19 restrictions imposed during the nation’s battle against the pandemic, we would like to thank everyone for the wholehearted support every Bhutanese rendered so far.

As we continue to cautiously transition into the second phase of our national response to the pandemic, we remain mindful of the evolving trends and evidence of the COVID-19 both nationally and internationally.

In the over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Bhutan has achieved laudable success in managing the pandemic. Bhutan’s strategy, guided by the Royal Command that the lives of our people are our greatest priority, was to introduce timely measures to keep our country free from the virus. Due to His Majesty’s personal guidance and leadership, and the wholehearted support of the people, Bhutan has emerged largely unscathed even during the most dangerous periods of the pandemic.

A female child born in the year of bird received the first pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Jigme Namgyel Lower Secondary School, kick-starting the nationwide rollout at 10.30am today.

The National COVID-19 Taskforce informs all that 𝐧𝐨 lockdown is being declared in Thimphu for now.
However, a COVID-19 community case was confirmed in the capital today. He had visited the Rinchen Kuenphen flu clinic yesterday, and confirmatory test was carried out. His residential building at Kabesa and the neighbourhood were also screened today, out of which his immediate family members and two of the neighbours tested positive.

After ascertaining the COVID-19 spread in Thimphu through the mass screening over the last four days and upon sealing the areas that saw positive cases and primary contacts, the National COVID-19

With His Majesty at the frontline and aided by the prayers of the religious bodies and support of every Bhutanese in the country and beyond,

It is an auspicious turn of event and a news that injects major boost to our economic recovery process as we seek to heal from the scars of the pandemic.

Subsequent to the earlier press release on the “changes in COVID-19 protocols”,

During an outbreak of any infectious disease, the incubation period of that disease is the yardstick. An average incubation period of COVID-19 is five to seven days. Which is why we consider the multiples of seven, 14 or 21-day timeframe for any COVID-19 related interventions. 

The much-anticipated hope for a long-term protection from COVID-19 comes to view as more vaccines begin to arrive in the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious risks to the health and livelihood of our people.

The lockdown in Thimphu is being lifted with immediate effect, upon ruling out all possibilities of COVID-19 disease presence in the capital for now.

The salang tendrel for the 65-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar this morning was a tribute to Her Majesty

This is to inform the public that except for Phuentsholing, the lockdown imposed on the thromdes and satellite towns in southern districts shall now be lifted. Respective regional and local taskforce members have been asked to initiate the process.

All the thromdes and satellite towns in the southern border dzongkhags will be under lockdown for further epidemiological assessment with immediate effect. No movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed in those areas.

Even as the recent surge in COVID-19 cases hit the region harder, and the risks of importing newer viral strains increase by the day,

In what is the convergence of His Majesty’s blessings, prayers of our religious bodies, hard work of the frontline workers and support of every Bhutanese, the nation saw a successful lockdown.

An AN32 glided its way into the Paro valley around 3.25 pm today, ferrying Bhutan’s first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine

We would like to inform the nation that the first phase of unlocking for Thimphu will start from tomorrow, 28 days after the capital went into a lockdown.

As our persistent efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 sees fruition, the National COVID-19 Taskforce (NC19TF) informs the nation with delight that the lockdown has proven to be effective and the disease spread has been contained to a great extent.

In the wake of increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases being detected, the National COVID-19 Taskforce (NC19TF) has revised the protocol for stranded individuals who seek to travel to their place of residence.

With blessings of His Majesty The King, and the show of support and solidarity by the people, we witnessed an effective lockdown of 13 days, and an additional three days for Thimphu as of today.

As we complete the seven-day nationwide lockdown tonight,we would like to inform all that National COVID-19 Taskforce has decided to extend it until the festivities of New Year and Nyilo are over.

With the announcement of the nationwide lockdown and the Prime Minister’s instructions to implement the zoning

A nationwide lockdown will be enforced for seven days, starting tomorrow (December 23, 2020).

Recognizing the private sector as a critical partner for the economic growth, the government has always placed high importance on the

In what is the next milestone of our journey to build Bhutan through professionalisation of the construction sector, the government launches yet another timely initiative- the Specialised Firms.

Drawing curtain on the third and final phase, we are happy to have touched yet another significant milestone of seamless unlocking. We now

Bhutan witnessed the first of a kind lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country on August 11. Today, 21 days on, we are confident to state that our lockdown measures have been successful.

The government announces nationwide lockdown starting today, following report of a COVID-19 positive case in Gelephu, who came in close contact with people in Thimphu, Gelephu, Paro and those along the way.

Message from Hon. Lyonchhen (Dr.) Lotay Tshering

Greetings.

With the receding of cold, and appearance of blooms all around, I sincerely hope you are enjoying spring and

This weekend spelt one of the busiest days for our health workers and law enforcement officials. It also heightened concerns. His Majesty commanded an emergency meeting among all stakeholders, personally chairing and participating in the important discussion.

His Majesty The King highlighted the need to protect the health and lives of the people in our country from the risks posed by global spread of the Novel Coronavirus, during the address to the nation on April 10, 2020. His Majesty also emphasised the need to build resilience, confidence and security of our people and businesses,

Guided by His Majesty’s compassion and wisdom, the country is united to weather a global pandemic. Under the firm and prudent leadership, the country saw some radical measures and introduced policies that came as uncompromising.

Press release: on cyclone Amphan

As notified by the Department of Disaster Management, the extremely cyclonic storm Amphan is expected to make a landfall in West Bengal tomorrow around 2 pm.
Given the proximity, over the next 72 hours

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major human tragedy impacting the lives of the people across the world. Along with the growing spread of the virus and rising death tolls, the economic consequences of the pandemic

The partner of the first COVID-19 case in the country has tested positive this morning. Prime Minister informed the public at the press briefing.

 The government has started working on comprehensive response plan, should the consequences of coronavirus in the country stretch for longer period.

While the health ministry continues with response efforts, following detection of first COVID-19 case on March 5, different agencies have been encouraged to prepare and strategise interventions, both immediate and long term.

In view of the concerns raised regarding the shortage of subsidized LPG in the media and the problems that our people are facing, the government would like to support the noble ‘Citizen’s Initiative: Our Gyenkhu’. Led by Lyonchhen, the

he Committee of Secretaries has been reinstituted with its inaugural session held today at Gyalyong Tshogkhang. The inaugural event was presided over by Venerable Tshulag Lopen,

As provided under Article 30 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan and as approved by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Lhengye Zhungtshog,

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, His Excellency Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering is on a State visit to India from 27-29 December 2018. He is accompanied by Lyonpo Dr Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Minister fo

To commemorate the 12th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the Golden Throne, Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering will join the nation and take part in the Nation Wide Cleaning Campaign on 9 th December 2018. Lyonchhen along with the officials of Cabinet Secretariat will clean the area around

On the auspicious day of the 30 th day of the ninth month of the Earth Male Dog year of the Bhutanese Calendar, His Majesty the King granted a Royal Audience and Kasho conferring