With the announcement of complete relaxation after more than two months, normalcy is finally returning to Wangdue Phodrang. The Dzongkhag COVID-19 Task Force declared the entire dzongkhag as a green district yesterday. More than 2,500 positive cases were detected from the district since the detection of the first case this year in January making it the fifth-highest amongst all the dzongkhags.
All business centres and offices are now open and movements of all vehicles are allowed without any restrictions starting today. The vehicle escort system for travellers between Tikizampa and Kingaling has been lifted. No tests are required to travel out from the dzongkhag hereafter.
However, sports and entertainment centres are not allowed for now. Gatherings of any kind cannot have more than 25 people.
Meanwhile, the people are thankful especially to the frontline workers and the Dzongkhag Task Force for their efforts.
“We had a critical situation before but it has improved now. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the officials and frontline workers. We are happy since the situation has become normal now,” said Kuenga Dorji, a resident of Bajo.
“It has become convenient for the villagers to move around. t is much better since we do not have to process e-pass travel or for transporting goods,” said Lotay who lives in Ruebisa.
“We are hoping our business will get more customers since the dzongkhag is now a green district,” said Kuenga Dorji from Bajo.
“The villagers are all dependent on agriculture and they have suffered in these two months being unable to sell their produce. But now they can bring their products to the market,” said Ugyen Samdrup, a resident of Nyishog.
Almost 98 per cent of the cases have fully recovered while the remaining are recovering in isolation facilities. There are also more than 40 primary contacts undergoing home quarantine who are monitored by security personnel.
The dzongkhag health team conducted close to 54,000 RT-PCR and antigen tests. About 94 per cent of the eligible population in the district has received their booster doses.
The Dzongkhag Task Force has also initiated the Reverse Isolation Programme for the protection of a vulnerable group of people.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
