Phuentshogling, Samtse, Gelegphu, and Samdrup Jongkhar towns will have to wait for some more time to implement the unlocking activities. For now, they will have to use movement pass to move around in their respective zones and follow the particular timing. And people in rural areas cannot go outside their gewogs in these border places.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, addressing the nation on BBS yesterday, said the lockdown can not be lifted in the bordering towns because of the heightened risks:
“Since the outbreaks are along the bordering places, there is a higher risk. Bigger the town, bigger the risk and higher the population of people, higher will be the risk. Due to this, these towns will start with movement cards. For one week we will use this as trial.”
Samtse has started using the movement pass since last week. In Samdrup Jongkhar, movement passes have been distributed. They will start implementing from tomorrow. Phuentshogling will distribute the movement pass tomorrow. Gelegphu is also in the process of distributing the pass and some are already using it.
In the rest of the districts, lockdown restrictions have been eased. The Prime Minister announced yesterday that unlocking approaches should be well calculated and therefore the lockdown will be lifted in three phases.
“In the first phase of three days, it is allowed to go out, take a walk and visit shops. However, the movement of unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed,” Lyonchhen said.
The prime minister said everyone should, however, follow the Standard Operating Procedure of the Health Ministry. In phase two, that is from Friday, the movement of public transport within the districts will be allowed but can carry passengers only 50 per cent of the capacity. In the final phase, private car movements will be allowed starting 7th September but movement beyond one’s district will be allowed only from September 11th with prior permission from the police.
Kinley Dem
