Following the requirement of the COVID-19 negative result for outbound travellers, the health ministry established a testing station for the residents of Thimphu at the Changlimithang parking space, yesterday. It operates from 9 to 10:30 AM.
It started operating from today and tested more than 20 people. They include those travelling outside Thimphu and Ex-country travellers.
According to an official from the ministry, they have set-up the station to streamline the testing for different categories of people.
”Out of 300 to 400 people we get in flu clinics every day, 10 percent would be outbound travellers. So, they get mixed up with those symptomatic,’’ said Rixin Jamtsho, the Chief Program Officer with the Ministry of Health.
The station just collects the samples. Testing is being done at the Royal Centre for Disease Control, RCDC, at Serbithang.
Those travelling outside Bhutan should pay Nu 3,000 for testing, and produce a copy of their passport and proof of payment during the testing. However, it is free for outbound travellers within the country.
Meanwhile, in-country emergency travellers should register with 1010 for testing, result, and e-permit.
Kinley Dem