Heightening the safety precautions, Samdrup Jongkhar town is up for strict implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures. More than 200 shopkeepers signed an undertaking with the Dzongkhag COVID-19 Task Force, yesterday.
The undertaking will mandate the shopkeepers to ensure all the customers use the Druk Trace app, wear a facemask, wash hands, and keep physical distancing before entering the shops.
Although all shops in the town have QR Codes and hand wash facilities, most customers don’t use them. However, with the initiative, things are bound to change hereon.
”Such initiative will make everyone aware of the risks from the coronavirus and enhance civility and responsibility among people,” said Gonpo Tenzin, a member of the eastern dzongkhag covid-19 task force. He added that this would also minimize the risk of transmission in the community.
All for the good, shopkeepers welcomed the initiative.
A shopkeeper Tshewang Dorji said that all this while, DeSuups and officials on duty have been enforcing the safety protocols among people, but it is an equal responsibility of the shopkeepers to let people follow it.
”We will be alert and vigilant all times and make sure that people follow the safety protocols diligently,” said Parthab Singh, another shopkeeper.
As per the Standard Operating Procedure of the undertaking, if shopkeepers are found not adhering to the terms of the undertaking, they will be asked to write a statement. Violation for the second time, the shopkeeper will be warned by the Task Force. If the undertaking is violated for the third time, the defaulter will have to do community service. And failing to do so, a penal offence will also be imposed.
Although the National COVID-19 task force declared Samdrup JOngkhar green zone, it is still a high-risk area owing to its proximity to the Indian border. So far, Samdrup Jongkhar reported seven positive cases of which three are community transmission and four from facility quarantine.
Kinley Wangchuk
