17 Jan 2022 | 05:43 AM UTC
Bhutan: Officials limiting nonessential activity and overnight movement in some areas as of Jan. 17 due to COVID-19 cases /update 39
Bhutan imposing strict curbs in 16 districts as of Jan. 17 due to COVID-19 activity. Travel restrictions continue.
Event
Officials continue to enforce nationwide COVID-19 restrictions as of Jan. 17 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The strictest measures, including a ban on nonessential activity, stay-at-home orders, and entry and exit controls, are active in multiple locations; mass testing is underway. Affected districts include the cpaital Thimphu, as well as Bumthang, Chukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Paro, Punakha, Samtse, Sarpang, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangduephodrang, and Zhemgang. Similar measures affected Phuentsholing town Jan. 7-10 and Samdrup Jongkhar town Jan. 11-14; modified curbs, including a daily 21:30-06:00 movement ban, are in effect in these locations until further notice.
Officials typically impose strict rules in areas with new COVID-19 cases for 72 hours and conduct mass testing before introducing some relaxations after 24 hours. Authorities usually allow limited essential movement of residents and cargo vehicles in the first relaxation phase. Some restrictions are likely to continue for several days even after the lifting of strict curbs. These measures include closing most businesses by 20:30, banning the nonessential movement of residents and vehicles 21:30-06:00 daily, prohibiting social gatherings, mandating the closure of sports and recreational venues, requiring inter-district travelers to obtain pre-approval, and encouraging telecommuting.
Domestic Measures
Entertainment centers, like cinema halls, karaoke centers, pubs, and nightclubs, can operate at half the capacity up to a maximum of 50 people until 22:00. Gatherings of up to 25 people can occur, provided organizers obtain advance approval from authorities. Facemasks are compulsory in public places. Residents must use the Druk Trace application for contact tracing when entering public places, business premises, and public and private hire transport vehicles. Officials may conduct random COVID-19 testing for travelers, students, teachers, transporters, and business personnel every two weeks. Inter-district travelers must register via the Check Post Management System. Authorities may require people who travel from high-risk to low-risk areas to quarantine for seven days.
Officials may implement stricter localized controls in areas considered as high-risk due to increased COVID-19 activity; such protocols are most likely in locations along the border with India. The measures typically include banning nonessential movement and gatherings and closing nonessential businesses.
International Travel Restrictions
International flights to and from Bhutan remain severely limited due to travel restrictions on Bhutanese citizens and carriers, as well as border closures. Bhutanese air carriers, such as Druk Air (KB) and Bhutan Airlines (B3), are operating some flights mainly to repatriate Bhutanese citizens. Schedules for available flights are subject to change at short notice. Fully vaccinated international arrivals can quarantine at designated facilities for 14 days, while unvaccinated entrants are subject to a 21-day quarantine. Reports indicate that authorities allow foreign tourists to enter Bhutan, though these entrants are still subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Authorities continue to advise citizens against nonessential travel; Bhutanese nationals who are traveling overseas must register with the Department of Immigration before the trips. Cargo transit is operational, though delays are possible due to screening and quarantine rules.
Advice
Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Do not check out of accommodations without confirming onward travel. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Ensure access to essential items. Carry proper identification documents, heed all security advisories.
