བློན་ཆེན་དང་ལྷན་རྒྱས་གཞུང་ཚོགས་ཡིག་ཚང་།

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

In pursuit of a progressive relaxation of COVID-19 preventive measures, additional activities are being announced for Thimphu and other Dzongkhags under various phases of restrictions.

The notice will come into effect from March 21, 2022 (Monday).

Movements

• Movement of private cars within the respective mega-zone is allowed.

• Those who need to drive beyond the mega-zone for emergency reasons must produce documents or any evidence for verification on the ground.

Inter-district travels and quarantine

• All inter-district travels are allowed.

• In a major shift of protocol, domestic travellers from high-risk areas and districts can now undergo home quarantine and not facility quarantine.

• The quarantine duration is seven days until further notice.

• People will have to register with the respective dzongkhags via 1010 HelpDesk prior to their travel.

• All public busses must be operational to facilitate the travels.

Offices and services

• In Thimphu, all private and public firms, companies and agencies can open with 25 percent of the total staff. Heads or supervisors will decide and issue an order stating names of the employees. The order can be used as a permit to travel to and from workstations. No e-pass is required.

• Critical services such as notary, visa, biometric and related services must open. Driving tests and International English Language Testing System for those seeking to travel outside must be facilitated. All individuals availing of these services can produce evidence for movement.

• All private and public offices in the Dzongkhags that have remained closed so far must open from Monday.

• Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital will offer all the services starting Monday. Similarly, all hospitals and health facilities across the country must continue to offer unhindered routine services. It merits a special expression of gratitude to the JDWNRH team and all health workers for the unconditional service.

Business hour

• Except for the entertainment centres, all businesses across the country can operate until 9pm.

• Gym, yoga and similar fitness centres can open for clients residing within the same mega-zone.

Reverse isolation

• Individuals across the country who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 will receive special care under the Reverse Isolation Program, an initiative under the Royal Command.

• The vulnerable group will be cared for in identified facilities or at their own homes.

• Dedicated health professionals and personal caregivers, in coordination with relevant health facilities will ensure the wellbeing of the individuals in isolation.

With this calculated stride, we are pleased to inform that we are approaching the full opening of the country from the COVID-19 restrictions imposed so far.

Among others, the high vaccination protection Bhutan has received, with second dose for five to 11 years due in first week of April, give us the confidence to ease the limitations posed by the disease.

More activities will be considered after a week or depending on the improvement of the situation. Daily monitoring and risk assessments are being carried out.

Meanwhile, we request everyone to take utmost care, and report to flu clinics should you have slightest of flu-like symptoms. Use of face mask, practicing hand washing and avoiding unnecessary crowding are still the most effective means to avoid contracting the disease in the first place.