… plans to allow residents to move out for shopping and relaxation

Nim Dorji | Trongsa

Trongsa dzongkhag task force yesterday finalised the zoning system in the dzongkhag after consulting the local leaders.

Trongsa dzongdag Tenzin Dorji said that the zoning system has been sent to the regional and national Covid-19 task force for directives and feedback.

Trongsa dzongkhag Covid-19 task force has identified 28 zones, six main zones each for gewogs and the throm. These zones are further divided into 24 sub-zones that are likely to change after the pilot phase.

The zoning system is based on the system initiated in Thimphu.

Today, villagers are allowed to move within their respective farm following the safety protocol.

The dzongdag said that for the convenience of the people during the lockdown, the dzongkhag has carried out the zoning.

“To facilitate the provision of basic facilities and services to the people we have identified all the areas we need in the zone system in all the chiwogs and gewogs,” he said.

The zoning will not only provide the people with the necessities, but it will also allow the people to move within certain boundaries.

The dzongdag said that in the future if a Covid-19 case is detected in the dzongkhag, it will be convenient to locate and identify the place depending on the designated zone and take appropriate measures.

“Knowing the exact number of people and households in each zone will help to facilitate in case we have to do mass testing to provide the services in case of a worst-case scenario,”

How will the zone system function?

The five gewogs with the throm will be the main zones and the local leaders will serve as the line of communication.

Anything happening within the sub-zones an identified responsible person will report to the tshogpa, who will report to gup and then dzongkhag will be informed by the gups.

To facilitate the people’s movement and ease the lockdown,  households will be issued a movement card each.

Cardholders can only move during their designated timing on the cards: either morning, afternoon or evening.

The timing for each cardholder will be prepared depending on the number of people in the zone and sub-zone accordingly.

The movement card can be used for leisure walks within the identified zones or to go shopping.

Essential items will be delivered to those who do not want to come to shops.  If the situation worsens the delivery service will be stopped.

Dzongdag Tenzin Dorji said that a drop and pick centre in each zone or sub-zone will be identified where all the delivery will be done till the point and people can collect from that point.

The residents have to take all precautions and strategies like maintaining physical distancing, wear face masks, and use the e-payment system.