Upon His Majesty The King’s command, the government will set up 1000 bedded quarantine facilities in high-risk areas to make up for the shortage of quarantine facilities. The Prime Minister during the meet the press said the sites have been identified while the drawing and the funding will be approved within this week.
Desuups from across the country will be deployed to assist in the construction of the quarantine facilities.
“It was His Majesty’s command to construct the quarantine centres. About 400 bedded in Phuentshogling, 200 bedded each in Gelegphu, Samdrup Jongkhar and Samtse. Samtse already has an additional dedicated 200 bedded quarantine centre. The quarantine centre would be a decent accommodation where there would be a family unit, cohort and single rooms,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister added the quarantine centres can be re-designed into affordable houses, bachelor’s quarters, small family units and training centres post-pandemic when the situation improves.
“We have to be prepared anytime for any other pandemic. Quarantine centres are necessary for any infectious outbreak. So we pre-planned and the quarantine centres will be used in the long run. It is also designed in such a way that it can be re-designed,” added the Prime Minister.
Currently, people travelling from high-risk to low-risk areas are mostly quarantined in hotels.
Kelzang Choden/ Yeshey Dema