Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering clarified that the ban on import of vegetables and fruits is not true and assured its continued supply. People were confused following the Agriculture Minister’s statement to the media on Wednesday which contradicted with a notice from the Agriculture Ministry issued on Thursday.
Talking to the BBS, Agriculture minister Yeshey Penjor had said import of vegetables and fruits will not be allowed until further notice as a control measure against the spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, the Ministry’s notification read that no official notification banning the import of vegetables and fruits were issued.
Meanwhile, acting on impulse, hundreds of people were seen rushing to vegetable markets in the last two days panic-buying.
“It should be fine as long as you get the vegetables you consume regularly. Lyonpo might have used the word “Ban” but we will import based on the situation and different approaches. The short closure was only because the border town gates were closed,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
Lyonchhen explained a system is already in place to ensure the supply of essential food items is not interrupted:
“We have authorised government vehicles in place for the transportation of goods. If Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor made a mistake in the statement, I want to apologize for that. But the most important thing for the people right now is the products and I assure and vouch that we will provide it, even if it costs us our lives.”
As per the Agriculture Ministry’s notification, although there is no ban on the import of vegetables and fruits, such imports will be subject to Coronavirus containment protocols in place at the border entry points.
Tshering Dendup
