Thimphu Thromde and its peripheral areas went under complete lockdown beginning today morning following a COVID-19 positive case in Thimphu. The 25-year-old female was tested positive upon visiting the flu clinic at the National Referral hospital with symptoms yesterday. She was reconfirmed positive early morning today.
Following the positive case, the health ministry is intensely tracing contacts. According to the Prime Minister’s Office Facebook post, the lockdown will enable health officials to trace and test all possible contacts.
Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering said that the positive case went to hospital, banks, different offices and met a lot of her friends and relatives as she was leaving for studies.
“We have implemented the lockdown so that no one will be allowed to leave Thimphu. Similarly, only emergencies and important cases will be allowed to come in,” added the Prime Minister.
The officials also found that one of her primary contacts travelled to Trongsa with multiple stops on the way. The Prime Minister’s office urged people in Hongtsho, Thinleygang, Wangdue Phodrang, Phobjikha, Pelela and Trongsa to avoid moving out of their homes.
Meanwhile, all offices, institutions, and business entities in Thimphu would remain closed until further notice.
For now, there will be no delivery of essentials. Delivery of essentials and zone wise relaxations will be carried out based on the surveillance outcomes in the coming days.
The Prime Minister on several occasions had reminded that everyone must be ready for a lockdown where supplies would last for at least a week. However, people were seen rushing to buy essentials in the morning following the lockdown.
The news of lockdown in Thimphu also prompted people to crowd at grocery outlets, vegetable markets and other stores in districts like Paro, Wangdue Phodrang and Tsirang.
Kinley Dem
