The Zhemgang District COVID-19 Task Force recently fined several offices, institutes and individuals for non-compliance with COVID safety protocols. The offenders were caught during an inspection carried out by the task force on Thursday last week. According to the task force, people are getting complacent after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
During the inspection, the task force found nine offices and financial institutions, and a hotel in Zhemgang town did not have proper handwashing facilities. The monitoring team also penalized 19 individuals for not wearing face masks.
The team levied more than Nu 8,000 as penalties for non-compliance to the protocols.
“We have created awareness as well. Last time, when the monitoring team went for inspection, we knew that the people are becoming complacent. But earlier, we did not penalize them. We asked them to abide by the protocols. Now more people are becoming complacent after getting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Chimi Dorji, the Zhemgang Dzongda.
The fines will be deposited in the district COVID-19 fund. According to the task force, hereafter, the offenders will be handed over to the police.
“We have to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols provided by the Health Ministry. All government offices, private companies and individuals have to comply with the protocols without any fail. In case, if one does not follow the norms, we will penalize them. We cannot go after all people but it’s our responsibility to abide by the safety measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing,” the Dzongda added.
Meanwhile, residents of Zhemgang town feel such inspections should also be done in other parts of the district.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Tshering Zam
