The seven-day mandatory quarantine for travellers from the high-risk districts to low-risk districts is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. But the measure is not without inconveniences. In Phuentshogling, switching of drivers at Sorchen has affected many drivers leaving load-carrying vehicles idle. However, the long porous border along the south means we might have to bear this inconvenience for now.
Since September last year, most of the vehicles ferrying goods between Phuentshogling and other districts are grounded or saw less business. For them to ply beyond Sorchen, they either need to undergo the seven-day quarantine or switch drivers.
“Since we stay here, we are now not able to go beyond Sorchen. It isn’t easy to get loads for our vehicles these days. Even if we get it, we cannot transport it due to the transhipment system at Sorchen. It is difficult to get a driver who can drive beyond Sorchen,” said Dorji Wangchuk, a driver in Phuentshogling.
“Firstly, it is difficult to get a load as Thimphu and Paro’s vehicles come here with an escort from Sorchen to get the goods. Even if we get it, it isn’t easy to transport, as we have to hire a driver who can drive from Sorchen. Drivers charge at least Nu 5,000,” added Damcho Wangdi, also a driver in Phuentshogling.
Although vehicles have remained idle, the drivers are content since the loan deferment has come to their rescue. On the other hand, people in Phuentshogling feel the quarantine restriction is a burden to the government and the people since the town hasn’t seen a COVID-19 case for quite some time.
“Due to the seven-day mandatory quarantine, some people couldn’t even meet their family members during emergencies. The police and Desuups are manning border areas and gates. Phuentshogling town is clean from the virus for the past several months. So, if this seven-day quarantine is lifted, people in the southern region will remain grateful,” said Sonam, a resident of Phuentshogling.
But the government is adamant the rule will not be lifted any time soon. In the recent Meet the Press session, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo reiterated the high-risk areas’ risks.
“If someone has the virus, 90% of it can be detected within seven days. So, the quarantine serves as additional protection. The seven-day quarantine is the reason why we have been able to open schools and carry out other activities in the rest of the districts,” Lyonpo said.
The threat level is the same in Samtse too. Norboogang Gewog under the district is a prime example of how porous the international border with India is. The porous border does not mean just not having a border wall. It is having hundreds of settlements, where villages in the two countries are just metres apart. And this is where the risk gets real. Despite having thousands of security personnel keeping a close eye, a person may sneak in under the shadows of the dark, and no one would even notice.
“When we observe across the border, people there don’t wear a mask or maintain social distance. They are as they were before the pandemic. India has one of the highest COVID-19 cases, and since they do not have proper protocols, there is a big risk that the virus might come in from across the border,” said KingaWangdi, the Norboogang Gup.
“I have travelled on foot along the 207-kilometre border, and the threat is significant. Our security personnel guard the border with vigilance, but the border is long, and there are many blind spots. So, people with bad intentions from either of the country pose us a huge risk,” said Pasang Dorji, the Samtse Dzongda.
However, a new protocol is expected once vaccination against the virus is complete.
Sherub Dorji/Sonam Penjor
