Bhutan: Officials to shorten quarantine for international arrivals from April 4 /update 44

Event

Bhutan is further relaxing COVID-19 restrictions from April 4. International arrivals will be eligible for a shortened quarantine of five days if fully vaccinated and ten days if partially or not vaccinated. Officials will also progressively restart in-person educational classes for levels above primary school from April 4.

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

Private taxis and public transport are operational; movement of people and vehicles is permitted through 21:30. Commercial establishments may open through 21:00 daily; entertainment venues remain closed. On-site work is allowed, though vulnerable groups such as individuals with health problems or parents of unvaccinated children may continue to telecommute. All gatherings except permitted events like funerals remain suspended.

Officials have eased movement restrictions within yellow zones and megazones. Inter-district travel is limited to travelers with prior permission, mainly for essential or emergency trips. Inter-district travelers must register via the Check Post Management System and undergo a rapid antigen test. Authorities require people who travel from high-risk to low-risk areas to quarantine at home for seven days. Asymptomatic passengers traveling between high-risk districts are exempt from testing.

Strict measures apply to red zones and buildings with active COVID-19 cases. A movement card is required to exit homes at designated time slots in affected areas. Nonessential movement and activity, as well as entry and exit, are banned. Tight curbs such as stay-home orders typically last at least 72 hours, followed by phased relaxations after mass testing concludes. Enhanced controls are also possible in high-risk locations such as districts along the border with India.

International Travel Restrictions
Foreigners must obtain prior permission via authorized tour operators or Bhutanese embassies to enter Bhutan. Entrants do not need to undergo pre-departure COVID-19 testing. Fully vaccinated international arrivals can quarantine at designated facilities for 14 days, while unvaccinated entrants are subject to a 21-day quarantine. The quarantine period will change to five days for vaccinated arrivals, and ten days for others starting April 4.

Authorities continue to advise citizens against nonessential travel; Bhutanese nationals who are traveling overseas must register with the Department of Immigration before the trips. Before exiting the country, outbound passengers from Kathmandu must undergo pre-departure testing for COVID-19. Cargo transit is operational.

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
Tourism Council of Bhutan
Zone Card Application