The Umling Dungkhag Court today conducted the independent hearings for officials involved in the case regarding a businesswoman breaching quarantine protocol in Gelegphu. Three health officials from Gelegphu Regional Referral Hospital and the Desuup Coordinator for Sarpang Dzongkhag were called for the hearings.
One of the three health officials, during the hearing, stated that he received a call from the woman on 4th November asking for COVID-test for an emergency travel permit. She said her son-in-law was admitted to Lungtenphug Army Hospital in Thimphu. He said the accused claimed of having approval from the Dzongkhag Incident Commander. So, the next day, the doctor directed his mate on a flu clinic duty who also attended the hearing, to perform the test and accordingly the woman was tested and certified after the test came negative.
The third health official denied being involved in the case. He said he just met the accused in the hospital and told her about the mandatory COVID-19 test for an emergency outbound traveller.
The Sarpang Dzongkhag’s Desuup Coordinator stated that he issued an emergency travel permit on 6th November. He said the alleged woman came to him with COVID-19 test result along with a photocopied document of her son-in-law being admitted to Lungtenphug Army Hospital.
And later during the joint hearing, the accused confirmed that she did not seek approval from the Incident Commander.
An emergency permit is issued to people travelling on emergencies like the demise of a family member and for referral cases. The traveller has to submit an application along with documents such as referral letter and death certificates to the Incident Commander.
The Incident Commander then approves and forward the application to COVID-19 Taskforce Secretariat office, which is then further forwarded to the Hospital for COVID test and issue emergency travel permit.
Gelegphu Police has charged her for breaching public order and tranquillity as per section 443 of the Penal Code of Bhutan. The court will have evidence hearing on Monday.
She travelled to Thimphu on 6th November last year and was quarantined in Thimphu on 8th of November after officials came to know that she travelled without obtaining approval from Dzongkhag Incident Commander. She was detained by Gelegphu Police on 26th of November.
Karma Wangdi, Gelegphu
