With regard to the recent public notification on the entry of foreign workers, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said the number of foreign workers entering Bhutan would depend on the number of Test Kits available in the country.
Mindful of the importance and demand for foreign workers, Department of Immigration issued a public notification on Monday that the department will facilitate the entry of foreign workers in the skilled and professional category starting from tomorrow.
At the Press Briefing on COVID-19 today, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said irrespective of the nationality, quarantine and testing protocols will strictly be applied to all incoming individuals.
“Our main priority is to test everyone entering the country for COVID-19. The category of foreign workers to be brought inside will depend upon the Labour Ministry’s standard operating procedures (SOPs). However, how many can the Health Ministry test will determine how many numbers of foreign workers would come in,” Lyonpo said.
However, revealing the fact that the country does not have abundant COVID-19 Test Kits, Lyonpo ruled out the public concerns of government bringing in thousands of foreign workers.
“For example, if we bring in 1,000 foreign labourers and 100 of them get sick. Then we have to ultimately look after them. We have to keep in mind problems related to it, whether the health service here can bear the pressure or not. Also keep in mind the number of Test Kits available in the country. That’s why I don’t see government bringing in thousands of foreign workers as it is impossible. Moreover, the Health Ministry’s SOPs won’t allow,” added Lyonpo.
As per the immigration department’s notification, COVID-19 Task Force based in Phuentshogling will screen the applications for the entry of foreign workers in the professional or skilled categories for approval.
Upon arrival in Bhutan, without any exception it will be mandatory for all foreign workers to undergo 21-day quarantine at a designated facility. The employer or the foreign worker will have to bear all costs relating to quarantine, testing and medical treatment.
However, dates to facilitate the entry of foreign workers in the labour category have not been decided yet. But the department said it shall facilitate the entry soon after quarantine facilities have been identified and approved by the Health Ministry. The department of Immigration will also issue a separate notification on the matter soon.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the department of immigration suspended the issuance of E-permit/E-visa and entry of all foreign workers in the country on 6th March.
Passang Dorji
