In the wake of the increasing number of COVID19 positive cases in Bhutan, the National COVID19 Taskforce (NC19TF) has revised the protocol for stranded individuals, who seek to travel to their place of residence.

“The heightened surveillance is intended to prevent disease spread beyond Thimphu and Paro while controlling the local outbreaks in the two districts,” said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Bhutan.

The NC19TF has decided to implement the following decisions with immediate effect:

Emergency travels (from Thimphu and Paro to other dzongkhags):

For emergency travels related to death and illnesses, the travellers will have to undergo three-days of mandatory facility quarantine at the place of origin.

Individuals should register with 1010 Public Call Centre.

The call centre will verify and authenticate the case, and direct the person to a quarantine facility, if found genuine.

On the 4th day, his/her RT-PCR result will be declared and those, whose COVID19 results are found negative, will be allowed to travel.

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The details of the travellers will be shared with the local government authorities.

The person will have to undergo an antigen test on the seventh day calculated from the day of RT-PCR. At the place of arrival, the person must ensure safe distance and follow COVID19 norms.

The same shall be applied for emergency travellers from high-risk areas to other dzongkhags, the release said.

Other travels (from Thimphu and Paro to other dzongkhags):

Other stranded individuals who need to return to the place of residence will have to undergo a seven-day mandatory facility quarantine at the place of origin.

The person will have to register with 1010 Public Call Centre, it said.

Following validation of the details, the person will be directed to a quarantine facility.

The person will undergo an RT-PCR test on the eight day and be allowed to travel, if the result is found negative.

The same shall be reinstated in high-risk areas.

Travel to red zones and high-risk areas from other regions:

For those people travelling to Thimphu, Paro and high-risk areas, from other dzongkhags, an Antigen test will be carried out and they will allowed to travel, if the result is found negative.

The same shall be applied for travel between Thimphu and Paro, the release added.