The busy mini dry port (MDP) in Phuentshogling comes to a complete halt after 13 loaders test positive for COVID-19 in the last two days. The dry port accommodates at least 100 vehicles coming in from India with essential supplies.
There are 181 loaders, of which 32 loaders are with the transhipment area in the Regional Revenue and Customs Office (RRCO) and the rest at the MDP. After the 25-year-old man from the RRCO transhipment tested positive for the virus, all the loaders were sent to facility quarantine yesterday and their swab samples were taken for RT-PCR test.
With all the loaders in quarantine, the RRCO transhipment and MDP are left with no loaders. Sources say the Department of Employment and Human Resources is calling for interested Bhutanese to take up the loading and unloading jobs. Until then, the supply chain from the MDP will be on hold.
Sonam Penjor
