The first day of relaxation of lockdown in Phuentshogling saw most people coming out only to buy essentials. Though, a movement card has been issued to every household, people are using it cautiously.
Like during the lockdown period, the streets in the town are still quiet. People are seen only near the shops. Apart from people buying essentials, no one was seen loitering unnecessarily.
“I didn’t see much people around. May be because it is the first day and people aren’t aware of it. I too came out with my card to buy sugar and tea leaves. Similarly, people I met are also looking for nearby shops. I see people buying essentials and returning home,” said Mahindra Kumar, a resident of Phuentshogling.
“It feels nice to come out after more than a month of lockdown. It felt like as if we came out from the dark. It is a good idea to relax lockdown phase wise. Otherwise, we are always locked in. We have been following the government’s directives strictly, and relaxing the lockdown is a good measure too,” said Namgay Tenzin, also a resident of Phuentshogling.
According to volunteers, people mostly came out in the afternoon.
“In the morning, I did not see much people coming here. Afternoon onwards, a few people started coming out. I think people knew about the relaxation only later and came to know about the availability of medicines from pharmacies only through friends,” said Tenzin Dorji, a volunteer with the Bhutan Red Cross Society.
Desuups distributed nearly 5,500 movement cards to every household in Phuentshogling and Pasakha area last week. Like in Thimphu, each card has a different time zone starting from 8 Am till 7PM. Phuentshogling and Pasakha area are divided into fourteen different zones.
Meanwhile, people in areas which fall under red and yellow zones are not allowed to come out from their homes.
Sonam Penjor
