Schools have also been closed until March 15

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

Building new structures, streamlining entry points, and collecting details of Bhutanese residing in and around Jaigoan, Phuentsholing is reorganising themselves to prevent Coronavirus (COVID-19) from entering the country from the busy border. 

The help desk, which functioned from a tent near the main point of entry,  is replaced with a ‘container’ room to maintain records and space for officials to rest. Another structure has also been raised for health declaration where people could fill up their travel history details. The Punatsangchhu project guesthouse has been identified as quarantine place. 

The move to collect details of Bhutanese living across the border, according to Phuentsholing drungpa Karma Rinchen is initiated so that measures could be taken in case there is an emergency with regards to the COVID-19 case.

The drungkhag has asked the employers (government, corporate and private) and its managements in Phuentsholing to compile and share information of those employees living in Jaigaon. 

Although drungkhag had collected the details in 2017 and 2018 during the distribution of NHDCL housing colonies, only 506 Bhutanese families were allotted the housing facilities in Phuentsholing. More than 2,000 Bhutanese are estimated to be living across the border. No details have been recorded about how many have left Jaigaon and how many have shifted there.

Drungpa Karma Rinchen said that they would update the details. “We expect people to support and cooperate.”

 All schools in Phuentsholing thromde have also been closed from today until March 15 as per the government directives. There are four schools in Phuentsholing. 

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