His Majesty The King is in Phuentsholing to oversee measures to control the spread of Covid-19 in the community and manage other issues related to the pandemic, as the border town remains in lockdown.
His Majesty began a tour of the south on April 21, after lockdown was declared in the high-risk areas following the detection of positive cases in the community in Phuentsholing.
During the tour, His Majesty also visited Gelephu, Samtse, Gomtu, and Samdrup Jongkhar, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.
His Majesty has been in Phuentsholing since April 29, reviewing the measures in place to address the pandemic, including border patrol, safe supply of essential goods, security of quarantine centres, and our overall preparedness to deal with the pandemic going forward. His Majesty granted several Audiences to the Southern Covid-19 Task Force based in Phuentsholing, visited the border outposts and possible points where transmissions may take place, and also visited the town when the mass testing was carried out from April 30 to May 2.
From Phuentsholing, His Majesty visited Samdrup Jongkhar from May 9 to May 12, after positive cases emerged in the community there, to oversee the lockdown and other containment measures. While in Samdrup Jongkhar, His Majesty met with the Eastern and Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag Covid-19 Task Force Teams, and visited the international border check post, Motanga Industrial Park, and the Dewathang Hospital under construction, as well as the Gyalsung site at Pemathang and the Desuung National Service Water Project at Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
While in Samtse from April 23 to 29, His Majesty met with the Samtse Covid-19 Task force, as well as the desuup trainees at Tendruk and Tashicholing. His Majesty granted Audiences to the students and teachers of Gomtu Central School and Norbugang Central School, and faculty of the Samtse College of Education. His Majesty also visited border outposts and points of entry along the border.
His Majesty visited Gelephu from April 21 to 23, where besides meeting the Dzongkhag Covid-19 Task force, His Majesty also granted Audiences to the desuups of the 45th Batch Accelerated Training Programme at Jigmeling and Pelrithang. While in Gelephu, His Majesty also visited the Desuung National Service Water Project site in Tareythang and the Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute in Dekiling.
His Majesty had briefly visited Samdrup Jongkhar on April 21 at the start of the Royal Tour to meet with the Eastern and Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag Covid-19 Task Force teams.
While meeting students, teachers, and desuups, His Majesty reminded them that we are fighting two battles- against the pandemic, and in ensuring a bright future. His Majesty said that it was imperative that we win both battles. His Majesty thanked the teachers for taking on extra responsibilities to support their students and communities during the pandemic. His Majesty also thanked the desuup trainees for coming forward to serve the nation during this time.
To the Covid-19 Task Force teams, His Majesty said that the situation is more challenging than ever before, and therefore all those working to fight the pandemic must be all the more vigilant. His Majesty commanded the team at Phuentsholing to convey appreciation to the people for their understanding and support of the lockdown, despite the many difficulties it has caused in their everyday lives.
The Minister of Health accompanied His Majesty in Samtse and Phuentsholing.