The COVID-19 vaccination will be rolled out starting March 27, next week. The Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tsheirng shared the auspicious date has been decided in consultation with the Central Monastic Body. Three days Sangay Menlha (Medicine Buddha) drupchen will be conducted prior to the nationwide rollout.
“We will start distributing the vaccines soon after it arrives next week. Along with that, the health specialists be deployed across the country. And we have decided to roll out on the 27th of this month. A good time to start the vaccination on that day is between 9 am to 10 am in the morning,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also clarified that there will be no lockdown as rumoured during the vaccination period. However, the Prime Minister advised people to restrict inter-district travels unless it is an emergency.
“To make sure that nobody misses the vaccine and to avoid confusion, I would advise people to avoid travelling. Unless there is an emergency we would advise everyone to stay at their place,” added the Prime Minister.
Lyonchhen urged people to go for the vaccination although it’s a personal choice. He said the country will be protected if all those who are eligible are vaccinated. There are 536,000 people who are eligible for vaccination in the country while pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children below 15 years of age would not be vaccinated.
The Prime Minister said those who choose not to get the vaccine will have to continue with the seven-day quarantine if they travel from a high-risk to a low-risk area.
Lyonchhen said people should continue adhering to the health ministry’s safety protocols of wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
And as of 5 pm today, 486,105 individuals registered for vaccination.
Kelzang Choden & Kinzang Lhadon
