Kelzang Wangchuk  | Samdrupjongkhar

Since De-Suups started distributing the movement pass to the residents of Samdrupjongkhar thromde yesterday as the task force had completed the zoning exercise, it is expected to implement from tomorrow.

De-Suups visited homes and briefed the households on the movement timing, and other requirements.

Meanwhile, few people in the town came for shopping as soon as they got the movement pass.

Thromde’s executive secretary, Tougay Choedup, said the thromde was divided into five zones- Throm, NPPF, workshop- dzong area, Tinkilo (three kilometres) and Dewathang town, with more than 1,520 households in the five zones.

DeSuups distribute movement cards

“We’d not issue movement passes to residents in the self-containtment areas like police and an army camp, IMTRAT, DANTAK, and Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC), among others as they are not allowed to leave the campus. Their administration would manage for the residents,” Tougay Choedup said.

Tougay Choedup said the movement cardholders are allowed to be out of their homes for three hours. The timing is divided between 8am and 7pm.  The residents of Dewathang would get five hours and two shifts a day.

He said the dzongkhag Covid-19 task force had identified 15 shops in the core Samdrupjongkhar town, six shops each in the workshop – dzong and NPPF zones, and two shops at Tinkilo zone, two vegetable vendors in the town, while two vendors each would be deployed to other three zones.

The executive secretary said five shops a day in the town and Dewathang, and shops in other zones would open on alternative days. Two shops in Tinkilo would remain open throughout the week. He said all the shops in the extended areas like Bangtsho and Samdrupgatshel in Dewathang would be open.

“People can go shopping and can also go for walks but within the zones. People would also follow the health protocols while De-Suups, among others, would also monitor in the respective zones,” Toygay Choedup said.