Given the high risks of COVID-19 transmission at containment centres, stakeholders functioning under containment mode in Phuentshogling are being made to sign undertaking letters. This is to ensure as well as enhance COVID safety protocols at the centres. More than 200 companies such as the mini dry port, warehouses and factories in Phuentshogling function under containment mode.
Before the signing, the representatives are sensitised to the responsibilities of the management team.
Some of the responsibilities include identifying a focal person at the centre to manage everything; frequent inspections to ensure proper protocols are followed, and proper transportation of workers for centres where the workplace and places of accommodation are separate.
They were also reminded of the importance to use personal protective equipment.
The frontline workers also need to get regularly tested for COVID-19 and immediately visit the nearest flu clinic in case of symptoms.
Tshering Lhamo from the Bhutan Exporters Association says that although they have already been following the protocol, it will ensure everyone follows it all the time.
“We will brief all who stay in the containment centre,” she said
Dechen Wangdi of the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan said such sensitisation programmes are really important, especially with the recent cases. He said, “such programmes are needed often to remind ourselves”.
According to the Southern COVID-19 Task Force, if there is any positive case from the containment centres, a thorough investigation will be carried out. If there is any breach of protocol, it will be dealt with as per the law.
“New variants of COVID 19 such as the Delta and Lambda are coming up. We have to prepare ourselves for it. Such programmes will help people against getting infected with these viruses,” said Sonam Dendup, a member of the Incident Management Team.
Recently, 11 positive COVID cases were detected from the containment centre of the medical supply depot in Phuentshogling.
Sonam Penjor, Puentshogling
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
