Staff Reporter

His Majesty The King arrived in Thimphu yesterday, after concluding a tour of the high-risk areas along the eastern and southern border, and entered quarantine as per Covid-19 protocol. 

His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and the Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering. 

His Majesty was in Phuentsholing since June 15 and visited Samtse yesterday. 

Besides granting audiences to the Southern Covid-19 task force in Phuentsholing and the Samtse Covid-19 task force,    His Majesty also granted an audience to de-suups who are participating in an ICT course as part of the De-suung Skilling Programme in Samtse. The De-suung Skilling Programme was initiated to equip youth with useful skills and to give them an opportunity to serve in national service projects during the pandemic.  

While in the east, His Majesty trekked along the eastern border from Merak to Jomotshangkha and then travelled to Samdrupjongkhar. 

In Samdrupjongkhar, His Majesty visited the De-suung National Service water project, where 60 de-suups are working with the thromde and RBA personnel to build water supply infrastructure for the town. The project is expected to benefit over 1,500 residents.