The Southern COVID-19 Task Force initiated phase-wise relaxation in Phuentshogling today after a 10-day extended lockdown followed by three days of mass testing. From more than 8,000 samples collected, nearly 700 individuals tested positive for COVID-19.
Households, where positive cases have been detected, are cordoned off as red clusters, buildings or houses.
People in Pasakha were allowed to move out with their cards from today. The area falls under Mega Zone III.
However, relaxations in Mega Zone I and II will begin only from tomorrow given the high number of cases that resulted during the mass testing. Phase-II relaxations are scheduled to begin from Thursday, next week. People will be allowed to move within their own Mega Zones on foot without having to carry movement cards.
As per the assessment, about fifty per cent of the positive cases are still in the acute stage of infection indicating ongoing active transmission. And this poses a risk of infections if restriction measures are fully relaxed.
Meanwhile, the movement of people and vehicles were restricted after two individuals tested positive for the virus in Gedu yesterday. And vehicles ferrying goods from Sorchen were escorted from Jumja to Geduchhu.
Phuentsholing detected more than 2,000 cases of COVID-19 since January 6.
Sonam Penjor, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam Pem