Bhutan: Officials to tighten curbs in Paro and Thimphu cities from Feb. 23 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 42

Event

Officials are adjusting COVID-19 restrictions from Feb. 23 in Paro and Thimphu cities. Residents may only move within mega zones by walking, cycling, or public transport with movement cards according to timeslots. Private vehicles are not allowed. Grocery stores may open 08:00-17:00 daily; workplaces must use telecommuting. The government will also require passengers exiting the cities for essential reasons to carry negative results from a PCR test; they must undergo quarantine for a week at their destination.

Nationwide measures continue. All gatherings except permitted events like funerals 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. 23 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), Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuntse, Mongar, Pemagatshel (except Nganglam), Thimphu (except Thimphu city), Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang (except Charingma), and Zhemgang.

• Yellow: A movement card is required to exit homes; local authorities may lift the requirement for movement within one's mega zone or residential area through 18:00 daily. Essential businesses may function 09:00-18:00 daily. Affected areas include Charingma area in Tsirang, three areas in Nganglam, Pemagatshel District, as well as parts of Wangduephodrang.

• Red: A movement card is required to exit homes at designated time slots. Nonessential movement and activity, as well as entry and exit, are banned. Red areas are Maenchhu in Nganglam, Paro, Phuentsholing, Punakha, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu city, and parts of Wangduephodrang. Strictest curbs such as stay-home orders lasting at least 72 hours typically affect areas with new COVID-19 cases, followed by phased relaxations after mass testing concludes. Three areas in Samtse District are under the tightest measures Feb. 22-25.

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