Nima Wangdi  

With mass testing still underway, the existing practice of movement within the mega zones will continue in Thimphu until the mass testing is complete. This comes as an extension to the last three-day extension, which ended yesterday.

An official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the progressive opening would be initiated once mass testing, which is expected to take ‘a few more days’, in all the mega zones is complete.

The press release from the PMO stated that the mass testing in Core 2 started yesterday. About 7,380 samples were collected as of yesterday afternoon.

PMO officials said they testing would proceed to Core 1 mega zone and then to the North mega zone accordingly. “Some 30,000 samples will be collected from all the four zones in which one family member from each household will be tested.”




There are 31 testing teams including de-suups deployed and the overall test results will determine Thimphu Thromde’s transition to green zone from yellow.

Mass testing at South mega zone and Lungtenphu RBA zone under Core 2 mega zone was carried out on February 8, from which three tested positive. A total of 6,600 samples were collected as per the health ministry.

“The positive clusters are being secured on the ground, and contact tracing and further surveillance are underway,” the PMO press release stated.

One representative from every household is being tested to capture a comprehensive epidemiological scenario.




Initially, the movement within the mega zone was extended for three days since February 7 because the community testing could not be carried out due to snowfall.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 booster dose vaccination has been completed in all green dzongkhags, according to the health ministry.