Southern Covid-19 Task Force Phuentsholing

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

In continuation to the Notification issued by the NC19TF on September 19, 2022, the SC19TF would like to notify the general public and all implementing agencies under Phuentsholing jurisdiction that the following activities shall be withdrawn w.e.f September 23, 2022:

1. Es**rt services being provided to:

-Travelers from Phuentsholing to other parts of Bhutan via India;
-IMTRAT and DANTAK officials and vehicles;
-Foreign workers from PoEs to Diagnostic Centre and hotels;
-Expatriate workers in bubble mode;
-Boulder export; and
-Industrial import & export.

2. Transshipment at MDP, unless it is required for other logistical
reasons;
3. Driver switching mode at POE(s);
4. Unloading of goods at SC19TF approved warehouses; and
5. Swab collection for RT-PCR test. However, random RT-PCR
testing shall be carried out at POE(s) or at worksite, as
determined by concerned authorities, to maintain COVID-19
surveillance for new variants.

The notification is issued in line with the relaxation of restrictions and the re-opening of International border gates w.e.f September 23, 2022.

With this, the SC19TF would like to thank all the frontliners and the general public for your kind cooperation and exceptional support thus far, and look forward the same, as always.

Southern Covid-19 Task Force
Phuentsholing
September 22, 2022

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐂𝟏𝟗𝐓𝐅
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

Under the guidance of His Majesty The King, hard work and dedication of our frontliners, and support and cooperation of the people, we achieved significant milestones in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Six months after the relaxation of restrictions and adoption of the “Protection Strategy”, the overall pandemic situation in the country is under control. The evidence so far suggests that it is safe to consider further relaxations, while continuing vaccination and strengthening clinical care.

With low virulence of the virus and high vaccination coverage today, the end of the pandemic is in sight. However, until the pandemic is declared over, the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and strengthen active surveillance for new variants to inform national COVID-19 policy.

Therefore, we would like to notify the general public and all implementing agencies at all formal points of entry of the following requirements for all incoming travelers with effect from September 23, 2022:

1. There will be 𝐍𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 requirement for inbound travelers. However, all individuals (12 years and above) entering Bhutan may be subjected to random RT-PCR testing at the formal points of entry or at the worksite to maintain COVID-19 surveillance for new variants. No fee shall be charged for the RT-PCR testing for surveillance;

2. The employers of the foreign workers and day workers shall ensure that their employees are fully vaccinated and in case of unvaccinated individuals, vaccines shall be provided by MOH through the health facility at a cost;

3. Full vaccination is defined as two doses of any vaccine with a two-dose schedule or a single dose of any vaccine with a single-dose schedule;

4. Individuals who test positive shall follow the five-day isolation protocol (without having to test at the end of the isolation period). In case of non-Bhutanese who test positive, they must pay for isolation and treatment, if needed; and

5. All es**rt services currently provided to travelers in the border areas shall be discontinued.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬:

1) All symptomatic individuals are encouraged to come forward for testing in the health facilities (or flu clinic) to enhance disease surveillance not just for COVID-19 but also for other respiratory diseases of concern;

2) The use of face masks is recommended for individuals having flu-like symptoms and people with comorbidities; and

3) Hand washing will be continuously advocated and recommended to prevent not only COVID-19 but other communicable diseases.

SC19TF Daily Bulletin

Public Notification on withdrawal of Single Item Import Concept

Import of goods under ‘Single Item’ concept was introduced w.e.f 1st August 2021 in order to facilitate import of essential items through driver switching mode when country was undergoing nationwide lockdown and thousands of vehicles carrying essential items were stranded across the border.

However, with the relaxation of many COVID-19 protocols, import of ‘Mixed Item Goods’ under driver switching mode, which is similar to the import of ‘Single Item Goods’, has been introduced w.e.f 1st June 2022.

Since both (single item and mixed item goods) import modality is under ‘driver switching’ and with no difference, SC19TF decided to merge these two modes under “driver switching”. With this new protocol, all types of goods are allowed to import on mixed-mode without requiring to upload undertaking form. However, requirement of vehicle registration in CRCMS remains the same.

This is aimed for better trade facilitation without harassment to the importers for breach of conditions under Single Item Concept.


SC19TF
Phuentsholing
August 9, 2022

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION (COMPULSORY WEARING OF FACE MASK)

The SC19TF would like to notify general public to comply to COVID-19 safety protocols especially wearing of facemask considering the following:

1) Increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases detected from Foreign Workers and Bhutanese returnees;
2) Detection of Covid-19 positive cases from the community, and
3) Increasing threat from monkey pox being detected in our neighboring countries

RBP shall strictly monitor to ensure compliance to the protocol(s).

With this, SC19TF would also like to reiterate incoming travelers to strictly adhere to the protocols of Test & Go System without fail.

This is issued for strict adherence.

Southern Covid-19 Task Force
Phuentsholing
July 28, 2022

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

With the start of Test & Go System w.e.f July 4, 2022, all incoming travelers are required to give sample for RT-PCR test along with Nu. 500 as testing charges at the Point of Entry (PoE).

However, SC19TF observed challenges in receiving the RT-PCR testing charges from Foreign Workers (FWs) and/or their employer/agent on time despite repeated follow-up. This caused inconveniences for all involving parties as follows:

1) Delay in transportation of the FWs from PoE to Health Screening and then to Quarantine facility;
2) Foreign workers have to wait for long hours in the Holding area at PoE; and,
3) Congestion at PoE posing communicable disease spread and security challenges.

In addition to the RT-PCR Testing charges, the SC19TF would also like to inform that Nu. 50 per head will be collected as transportation charges for those incoming individuals (including FWs) availing transportation services provided by the PoE vehicle from PoE till Quarantine place (confined to Phuentsholing Thromde).

The amount will be collected from respective hotels facilitating the 24 hours mandatory observation upon dropping the individuals at their hotel. However, this is not applicable for FWs quarantined at Temporary Quarantine Facility (TQF), Amochhu/Toorsa.

Therefore, the SC19TF would like to request all incoming travelers and/or concerned Employer/Agents to kindly cooperate and make the payment(s) on the spot to ensure efficient service.

Non-compliance/cooperation to the notification will result in return of the Foreign Workers from the PoE.

This shall come into force w.e.f July 21, 2022.

SC19TF
Phuentsholing
July 20, 2022

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ON TEST-AND-GO

The SC19TF would like to notify Bhutanese returnees entering through Phuentshoing main gate that you need not have to register prior to your entry. This shall supersede Section (a) of our notification issued on July 5, 2022.

You are required to submit a hard copy of following documents to RBP at the Point of Entry upon arrival/entry:

1. COVID-19 Test & Go Undertaking Form;
2. COVID-19 Test & Go Additional details Form; and,
3. Vaccination Certificate or evidence of COVID-19 infection in the
last 6 months.

Individuals shall pay Nu. 500 for the RT-PCR Test at Point of Entry.

Inconvenience caused is highly regretted.


Southern Covid-19 Task Force
Phuentsholing
July 7, 2022