After two weeks of lockdown, the inter-gewog movement of people resumed in Samtse today. The relaxations come after mass screening in Tashichhoeling Gewog and Samtse town recently found no community cases of COVID-19.
The first phase of unlocking will see all offices and institutions open. As far as schools are concerned, apart from the two schools in Tashichhoeling, students across the rest of the 14 gewogs are back to school.
Similarly, imports and exports will resume as usual. Construction activities are allowed in self-contained mode, meaning the workers cannot go out of their construction sites.
All essential shops have been allowed to open. Sporting activities and social gatherings like parties and weddings are not permitted until further notice. Funeral rites are also limited to 10 people. And for those planning to move out of Samtse to low-risk areas, registration for the 7-day quarantine has resumed. People now have to register via an online portal on the Dzongkhag’s website.
According to the District COVID-19 Task Force, restrictions in Tashichhoeling Gewog was also lifted since the risk was minimal.
“We did risk assessment in Tashichhoeling. We have already quarantined all primary contacts, and all secondary contacts are in-home quarantine. So, the risk was not much. But people cannot do as they please during this phase of relaxation,” said Pasang Dorji, the Samtse Dzongda.
He added, all those under home quarantine have been cooperative.
“Those under home quarantines have many vigilantes. First of all, it is their neighbors who keep watch. Secondly, gewog tshogpas keep tabs on them. On occasions, Desuups and police check on them. Some neighbours call us asking if those on home quarantine can step outside their house. It shows people are concerned,” the Dzongda added.
Since May 13, more than 8,000 RT-PCR tests were done to rule out any trace of the COVID-19 virus in the community.
For now, routine travel to and from Phuentshogling is restricted. Further relaxations are expected in a week. Samtse was under lockdown when a couple from a busy restaurant in Baeboteng in Tashichhoeling tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
Sherub Dorji, Samtse
