A man from Ramitey in Chhukha is undergoing a 21-day facility quarantine in Phuentshogling after he was arrested for breaching COVID protocol. The 35-year-old allegedly entered Phuentshogling from Jaigaon, yesterday. This is the first such incident in the town after over three months.
The suspect confessed to entering Phuentshogling from a jungle below Rinchending Goenpa yesterday morning. He works as a driver in Jaigaon and reportedly came to meet his family at the Amochhu temporary shelter in Phuentshogling. He was arrested near the customs office and was immediately quarantined. After he tested negative on the RT-PCR test, his family members were home quarantined. Police will forward the case to the court after the suspect completes the quarantine period.
According to the Southern COVID-19 Task Force (SC19TF), Phuentshogling is still a COVID high-risk area and people should inform the officials if they witness any suspicious activities that may lead to a breach of protocol.
“Being a porous border, there are many places from where intruders could get in. Though we have front liners stationed at different points of entry, intruders have been using various ways to get in. We could get hold of the person this time, but we assume many such incidences go unreported,” said Rixin Jamtsho, a member of the SC19TF in Phuentshogling.
Meanwhile, it has been three months since the town saw the last COVID case from the community. As the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains high in the town, the southern task force reminds people to follow safety protocols diligently.
Sonam Penjor, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam
