Bhutan: Officials maintaining strict domestic curbs as of Feb. 1 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 41

Event

Officials are maintaining strict nationwide COVID-19 restrictions as of Feb. 1 to curb the spread of COVID-19. All gatherings except permitted events like funerals and sporting activities remain suspended. Entertainment venues are closed. Inter-district travel is limited to travelers with prior permission for essential or emergency trips. Local measures are based on a color-coded system; green, yellow, and red categories indicate no, possible, and confirmed local disease transmission, respectively. Specific curbs as of Feb. 1 are as follows.

• Green: All businesses may open until 21:00. Pre-approved essential travel between green locations is allowed with negative results of a rapid antigen test. Districts under this category are Bumthang, Chukha (except Phuentsholing), Gasa, Haa, Lhuntse, Mongar, Pemagatshel (except Nganglam), Thimphu (except Thimphu city), Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, and Zhemgang.

• Yellow: A movement card is required to exit homes. Residents may walk or cycle within their designated mega zone 05:00-18:00 daily; other transport services are suspended. Essential businesses may function 09:00-18:00 daily. Affected areas are Paro and adjacent areas.

• Red: Residents must stay home except for essential and emergency reasons. Nonessential movement and activity, as well as entry and exit, are banned. Officials allow people to exit homes for essential needs during timeslots according to zones. Red areas are Dagana, Nganglam, Phuentsholing, Punakha, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimpu city, Tsirang and Wangduephodrang.

Domestic Measures
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. People may contact a national helpline at 1010 for assistance.

Officials may implement stricter localized measures such as travel bans and compulsory testing in areas considered as high-risk due to fresh COVID-19 cases; such protocols typically last 72 hours. Enhanced controls are also possible in locations along the border with India.

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.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Movement Pass Application
Zone Card Application