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New Delhi: In order to curtail a possible community spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the bordering villages of the country, the Royal Government of Bhutan on August 11 announced a major nationwide lockdown. The government terming the lockdown as ‘unprecedented’ declared it after consulting with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on the night of August 10 at the Bhutanese Ministry of Health (MoH) office.
According to a release published by the MoH, the lockdown comes into effect from today, ‘following a report of a COVID-19 positive case in Gelephu (a village located along India-Bhutan border), who came in close contact with people in Thimphu, Gelephu, Paro and those along the way.’
The release stated that ‘the government enforces restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles within the Dzongkhags and beyond. Everyone is asked to stay home to protect themselves and their families from the disease, should there be undetected, rampant transmissions. All schools, institutions, offices, and commercial establishments will remain closed. Ongoing exams will be postponed, while the students and trainees in boarding facilities should continue to remain on campus and follow COVID-19 protocols.’
Dedicated efforts by the administration-led by Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, have received a disciplined response from the Bhutanese citizens, which has witnessed only 113 cases of infection and zero death count so far. Bhutan registered its first infection on March 6.
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Recently, the Bhutanese King along with PM Tshering and other cabinet ministers ventured on a two-week-long tour of the south of the country to review and reinforce security measures. Even after Bhutan sealed its border on March 23, there were several instances of people clandestinely entering Thimphu by crossing the India-Bhutan border.
The administration soon realized that the border regions were particularly vulnerable to an outbreak, as people avoided an outbreak.
Last night, the national COVID-19 taskforce-led by the King held a meeting till wee hours, for proper coordination and implementation of the lockdown before announcing it.
