Following the government’s direction to close the points of entry in the country to prevent the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Gelegphu has closed its main gate today morning. The movement of vehicles and people between Gelegphu and the Indian town, Datgari came to a halt.
However, authorised vehicles like fuel tankers and ration vehicles belonging to the Food Corporation of Bhutan will be allowed to ply across the borders. The vehicles will be disinfected and the drivers screened for any symptoms.
The people welcomed the move and said it would help to prevent the incursion of COVID -19 in the country, and said all citizens should come together to fight COVID -19.
“It is an individual responsibility to understand the sealing of the border gate by the government because such a move by the government is for the well being of the citizens,” said Ugyen, from Sarpang.
“It is right to seal the border gate with cases of COVID -19 in the region for the well being of people,” added Rup Narayan, in Sarpang.
Starting from 16th of March, Sarpang Dzongkhag has quarantined 64 people returning from a business trip, pilgrimage and studies abroad. The Dzongkhag level Emergency Operational Preparedness and Response Plan is prepared should any COVID-19 case arise with the objective to enhance surveillance, tighten border control, strengthen preventive and response measures, ensuring systematic management and recovery from any such outbreak.
Sarpang Dzongkhag shares a border with the Indian State of Assam with a formal designated entry-exit point located at Gelephu-Datgari checkpoint. The Dzongkhag also has numerous informal entry points across the length of the border with human settlement on both sides posing a high risk of spreading the disease easily. Security personnel have been deployed at all the entry points for surveillance.
Karma Wangdi
