Following the nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, many people found themselves displaced. The Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration announced assistance for stranded people in the district today, and around 2500 individuals registered seeking outbound movement to other districts.
The district administration started registering people stranded in Thimphu from this morning. And by 6 pm, 2,446 individuals had registered. They are mostly students, farmers, labourers, monks and businessmen from across the country.
Although the number of stranded population in the capital is listed, the district administration will have to wait for the government’s permission to allow outbound travel.
However, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, during a press brief this evening, shared that facilitating everyone would defeat the purpose of the lockdown. Lyonchhen said the government is ready to render any assistance if the cases are genuine. The stranded people will be helped case by case.
Meanwhile, in Bumthang, five trucks and four light vehicles were allowed to leave the district today. The vehicles, stranded since the lockdown enforcement, were initially given the permission at 6 am but were called back. The vehicles then left at 9 am. With different executive orders from different coordinating bodies, officials in Bumthang said they are quite confused in implementing the orders.
Similarly, yesterday, Punakha district administration facilitated and sent home 21 individuals stranded in the district. And just a while ago, Wangdue Phodrang District Administration allowed 20 civil servants stranded in the district to leave for their respective Dzongkhags.
Lyonchhen said the movement of vehicles is restricted mainly to prevent the community spread of COVID-19. However, it will be eased based on travel urgency.
Sangay Chezom
