THIMPHU, Sept 12 (NNN-XINHUA) – The government of Bhutan announced that, schooling for students of classes X and XII will resume from Monday.
For students in IX and XI grades, the campus will be opened from Sept 21, Prime Minister, Lotay Tshering, announced, while students in high-risk areas will be shifted to western districts to complete their session.
The prime minister said, technical and vocational training institutes, including private owned ones, such as driving and tailoring course providers, can also resume, along with colleges and institutions across the country.
Schooling for X and XII grade students were closed for the second time, along with the nationwide lock-down that was enforced on Aug 11.
All schools and colleges across the country were closed on Mar 18, after the detection of the first COVID-19 positive case in Bhutan. On July 1, the government had opened schooling for students of classes X and XII.
During the long-gap between school closure and reopening, students of all grades were provided online lessons.
Starting today, travel between districts will also be allowed, while public transports and private transportation will have to maintain 50 percent capacity.
Around 8,000 individuals have registered for inter-district travel, said the country’s health minister, in her live address to the public last night. She urged everyone to wear a mask and maintain social distancing for safety measures, as the country ends phase three of the lock-down yesterday.
She said, every two individuals from a household in Samdrup Jongkhar district, which shares its border with India, will be tested for COVID-19. A woman with no recent travel history was detected positive last week.
Travelling to and from high-risk areas of Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar and Samtse districts, were restricted and people coming from these places will have to undergo quarantine protocol, said the prime minister.
Four positive COVID-19 cases have been detected in the country within the last 24 hours. Two were working at the mini dry port at Phuentsholing town, while two are Royal Bhutan army personnel.– NNN-XINHUA
