With one confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case, people in the country started stocking up on essentials fearing there could be shortages, and that already left some store shelves empty yesterday. With the Prime Minister assuring that any necessary items would not go out of stock, shopkeepers in Thimphu give reassurances too.
People rushed to buy items like rice, oil and other basic amenities yesterday after hearing about the COVID-19 case. What was worse according to some shopkeepers is that some booked as many as 10 bags of rice to take home.
“Yesterday, from morning till evening, people rushed in to buy supplies because they thought it will run out. Stock will never run out. It will be stocked again like a daily routine. There is nothing to worry about,” said Pema Tsamchoe, a shopkeeper in Thimphu.
“The Prime Minister yesterday reassured that the stocks will never run out. And even when I asked my friends in the bordering town, they said there is no problem as long as the gate down there is open, there will be a continuous supply of ration,” added Tandin Dorji, also a shopkeeper.
While some of the shopkeepers BBS talked to said that they earned over Nu 300,000 to Nu 500,000 in just one day, they asked people not to panic. The shopkeepers added that the groceries and supplies would never come to an end as long as the entry gate in Phuentshogling is open.
“Border gates will remain open, there is no need to panic. The geopolitical relation we have with India is sacred and as soon as the news of COVID-19 case in Bhutan reached India, we were reassured by the government of India that they will support us in any ground,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
He added that, if any case comes in Phuentshogling, the government might have to resort to closing the entry gate too. For now, Phuentshogling did not detect anyone with the virus. As of today, in Thimphu, most people seem to be relatively calm.
Samten Dolkar
