As a measure to combat COVID-19 Pandemic, all villages under Chapcha Gewog in Chhukha Dzongkhag are implementing strict safety protocols.
Everyone entering or leaving the villages are required to record their details in a logbook and wash their hands at makeshift entry gates made in the villages. This initiative started over a month ago. The villagers along with the Desuups in the villages monitor the entry gates 12 hours a day.
According to the Chapcha Gup, Tobgay, the initiative is a small move from the people in showing solidarity in combating the pandemic. “Under the leadership of His Majesty, the Zhung Dratshang and the government are relentlessly working towards combating the pandemic. After discussing with the people, we started recording the details at the gates so that we can reduce the movement of people in our villages.”
Gup Tobgay also said that unlike in offices and hotels, the use of the contact tracing app, Druktrace was not possible in the villages, so recording details in a register is the only option.
Villagers have welcomed the initiative. Dawa Zam from Chapcha Gewog said that they feel safer with the initiative. “We feel that the tight monitoring at the gate will help in preventing the spread of the virus.”
Meanwhile, some other gewogs in the district have also initiated the same practice while others are planning to implement the same safety protocols as well.
Sonam Penjor
