UPDATES ON COVID-19 – Is Bhutan open for tourism now?
Bhutan is closed for tourism up till February 2021. Bhutan government has implemented a travel restriction for all incoming tourists until further notice. So to travel to Bhutan currently isn’t allowed. The pandemic situation within and beyond Bhutan is being closely monitored by the government. As the global situation unfolds updates will be provided progressively. After March, the Bhutanese government intends to vaccinate it’s entire population. It will be carried out with a nationwide vaccination program. So, hopefully, Bhutan will slowly ease reopening tourism. Bhutan has a better covid report with 99% COVID-19 recovery rate with 861 positive cases with 854 recovered as of 9 February 2021. Bhutan was the first country to receive a consignment of 150,000 doses of Covid shield vaccines from India on 20 January 2021. Thus after March 13 2021, the country plans to vaccinate all it’s population.
Is Bhutan safe for tourists?
As of now, Bhutan is closed and tourists are not allowed to enter Bhutan. This travel restriction is for all incoming tourists until further notice. The pandemic situation within and beyond Bhutan is being closely monitored. Updates will be provided progressively as the global situation unfolds.
Bhutan response to covid 19
150,000 doses of Covidshield vaccines were sent to Bhutan by India on 20 January 2021. The vaccine was a gift from India to its South Asian counterpart, and it was just four days after India’s own massive rollout of the vaccine. It was brought by AN32 landing at Paro International Airport. It was received by Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering, the health minister Dechen Wangmo, Foreign secretary Kinga Singye and a few other senior officials. the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, was handed by the friendly neighbor the Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Her Excellency Ruchira Kamboj and the embassy officials. The Indian government has assured to cover the two doses requirement of Bhutan’s target population of slightly over 533,500. India has also committed to delivering the remaining consignments soon. Bhutan targets to vaccinate all it’s population at the same time. When sufficient doses are available, Bhutan will carry out a nationwide vaccination program. In the meantime, various district’s lockdown is being eased inside the country. The government is continuously monitoring the pandemic situation of the kingdom.
