Despite government mandating the usage of face masks in hospitals, schools, vegetable market and in public transport services, not many people are using the mask properly. Desuup volunteers at the various public places in Thimphu shared they usually come across five to 10 people who are found using face mask inappropriately every day.
To prevent and contain the local transmission of COVID -19 in the high-risk areas, the government made it compulsory to use face masks in all public places starting this month. And people can be seen wearing varieties of face masks in the capital. However, talking to Desuups and other monitoring teams at the entrances of various public places, they said despite a good number of people adhering to the strict usage of facemask, not many people are using it properly.
Rinchen Namgyel, the Desuung Coordinator at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), shares how people visiting the hospital adheres to the government’s directives. “Some people just use the face mask to get access to the hospital. Once they are inside they take off their face mask and say they are not used to it. However, we intervene and ask them to wear it. Many are aware of the importance of face mask and comply with us but recently we had an issue where a man came and he does not have a face mask but he covered his mouth with a scarf. We did not allow him to enter the hospital and told him to use a proper facemask,” he said.
The issue is same at the Centenary Farmers’ Market according to Namgay Tshering, the Desuung Coordinator there. “Here at the CFM, it is the same. People take off their face masks saying it is hot and uncomfortable. Some of them take it off and keep it at the side saying that they are drinking tea. Last week we had five to six cases of people who did not have face mask but had their mouth covered with scarves and other clothes. We had a lot of problems letting them enter CFM,” he added.
The Desuups and the monitoring team also added it is mostly small children who are found wearing the face masks inappropriately.
Aware of the situation, the Health Minister, Dechen Wangmo during the recent press briefing on COVID-19 reiterated the importance of using face mask properly while visiting various public places. “I have seen people using face masks inappropriately by just hanging the mask over the ears, while some only cover their chin by exposing mouth and nose. Some of them are simply covering their forehead and some of them are not even wearing it. I would like to request everyone to use the face mask properly and dispose of it properly if it is a use and throw face mask,” Lyonpo said.
Despite the government’s no intent to impose any fines and penalties for those who are not adhering to the directives to wear face masks in public places, Desuups, scouts and police are strictly monitoring the compulsory usage of mask in such places. They are also frequently asking people to use the face mask properly. And for those who have forgotten to bring their face masks from home, there are shops and individuals who are selling face masks in various public places as well.
For now, there are over 265 Desuups monitoring and controlling the major crowds at the CFM, JDWNRH and the Bus terminal in Thimphu.
Passang Dorji
