The 200-bedded Quarantine Facility at Dhamdum in Samtse is now ready. The facility which was inaugurated on Tuesday is expected to address the shortage of quarantine facilities in the district. With several hotels in the town not qualified to function as quarantine facilities, most of the travellers from the district are currently sent to Thimphu and Paro for the seven-day mandatory quarantine while travelling from high-risk to low-risk.
The newly constructed quarantine facility is spread over an area of more than five acres. The facility is just a few minutes drive from the town. It has four blocks with 10 units each with a kitchen and a security room. It also has a health screening centre and an immigration counter for foreign workers.
Upon Royal Command, the facility was constructed to address the shortage of quarantine facilities in the Dzongkhag for quarantining of routine travellers, primary contacts, and foreign workers. The facility will also serve as the quarantine facility for the foreign workers of Haa and Paro.
“There are only three hotels in Samtse that have been providing quarantine services. However, as per the new SOPs with the health ministry, these hotels do not qualify to be converted into quarantine facilities,” said Samtse Dzongda Pasang Dorji.
He further added that works to construct another quarantine facility with 500 beds for foreign workers have also started.
“The construction is being done by the works and human settlement ministry and the dzongkhag. For now, about 18 acres of land have been cleared, and works to connect the place with a road are also underway. It will be complete soon.”
As for the newly completed facility, it has standard amenities such as Wi-Fi, water supply, and CCTV services. Likewise, cable television and beds will be installed soon.
Unlike other projects, the quarantine facility in Samtse was constructed jointly by a private company and the Gyalsung project. The project was completed at a cost of over Nu 10 M.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
