Starting tomorrow, the first phase of the lockdown relaxation will allow the movement of people and utility vehicles in zones of all the districts, except for Thimphu and Paro, that have not reported any cases of COVID-19 so far. However, it will be only within the district.
Upon directive from the National COVID-19 Taskforce, respective district taskforces have met with the local leaders to finalise the relaxation guidelines.
In districts with yellow zones, where there are no reports of community transmission, movements will be allowed only for the zone cardholders. The yellow zones, declared by the National COVID-19 Taskforce are Lhamoi Ddzingkha, Karmaling and Nichula Gewogs under Dagana where five positive cases were detected, Domkhar and Chamkhar in Bumthang with nine positive cases, Phentoedkha village in Punakha with two positive people, Pelela in Wangdue Phodrang, Kela in Trongsa, and Kar-tshog/Uesu Gewogs in Haa where one case each has been reported.
Emergency movements out of yellow zones will be allowed, upon testing negative on the RT-PCR test and getting clearance from the respective taskforce.
In green zones, where there is no report of COVID-19 positive cases, construction works will be allowed. Likewise, shops, restaurants, and hotels will be allowed to open for take-away. However, non-essentials shops will still remain closed. Similarly, unavoidable inter-dzongkhag movements will be allowed only upon approval by the dzongkhag taskforce.
Meanwhile, Thimphu and Paro will still be under lockdown.
The National COVID-19 Taskforce will initiate the second phase of the relaxation after seven days by assessing situations in all the districts through random sample testing.
Phub Gyem
