Like other southern districts, Samtse is classified as a high-risk area. Despite starting inter-district travel to and from Samtse last week, those leaving Samtse towards low-risk areas need to undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine. However, unless necessary, district officials are advising people not to make travel plans.
Except for emergency cases like patient referrals and illness or death of immediate family members, everyone has to undergo the seven-day quarantine before leaving Samtse. An RT-PCR test will be conducted before issuing a travel permit.
“What we do is when people register for quarantine, we determine whether the person concerned has a vehicle arranged to make the travel after the quarantine period. If they don’t have a vehicle arranged in advance, we advise them not to go in quarantine until they have it ready,” said Sonam Wangyel, the Samtse Dzongda.
For now, people coming into Samtse for a day are not allowed in from the Amo Chhu checkpoint.
“We don’t let people in if they are going back on the same day. We don’t have people here to monitor other activities, let alone to go after them. That is why we have devised this plan. It will only save people from staying in quarantine. People should understand this and support us,” he added.
However, people are free to move between Phuentshogling and Samtse without having to undergo quarantine and COVID-19 tests. Those coming from Thimphu and other low-risk areas are given a police escort from Rinchending till Amo Chhu checkpoint.
Likewise, public transport buses are not allowed into Samtse as of now. Three buses, which came last Friday, were sent back to Thimphu immediately the next day.
So far, more than 200 people have left Samtse for other districts.
Sherub Dorji
