His Majesty The King arrived in Jomotshangkha yesterday after a five-day trek along the eastern border.

His Majesty started the trek from Merak on June 8, accompanied by His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and the Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.  His Majesty visited the border points-of-entry and outposts manned by de-suups, RBP personnel, and in one case, a retired police personnel. The entire route, from Merak to Tshothang, is over 67 kilometres long. 

There have been frequent interactions between people across the porous border in the past, even in summer when there are leeches and swollen streams.

Besides inspecting the border outposts, His Majesty also expressed concerns on the impact that the pandemic and border closure has had on the livelihoods of the people who depend on these interactions.

His Majesty is in Jomotshangkha, which has been in lockdown since May 21. The drungkhag is working to ease lockdown as the situation is being brought under control.

His Majesty began a royal tour of the east from June 7 to inspect measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, following the several outbreaks and lockdowns in different places in the east recently.