The nationwide coronavirus lockdown will be extended by two more weeks from May 4, the Indian government said on friday, noting significant gains from the six-week shutdown in India’s fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. Extending the lockdown for the second time, the home ministry announced new guidelines based …
Read More »A rude reminder
The initially positive and later negative result of a shop keeper in Jomotsangkha kept the nation on tenterhooks, because any confirmation would mean the possible presence of community transmission in Bhutan. The nation, for a moment, was reminded of the incredibly high price that we have to pay for any …
Read More »How South Korea Stopped COVID-19 Early
SEOUL – South Korea experienced one of the world’s largest initial outbreaks of COVID-19 outside China. But, unlike the United States and many European countries, we have been able to contain and drastically reduce the spread of the virus, at least so far – and without imposing a nationwide lockdown. …
Read More »Face masks being given to the elderly: MoH Minister
The Health Minister said that certain vulnerable groups like older people and certain vulnerable groups are being given face masks and they are being advised to wear them. “If there is a community outbreak we are going to recommend masks for all but before that what is the population we …
Read More »Getting complacent
When the first case of the COVID-19 came to Bhutan, the initial problem was excessive fear and panic as people resorted to panic buying, but the bright side was that people stayed indoors and avoided social gatherings. However, the problem is now one of complacency as people lose their fear …
Read More »Domestic violence likely to increase if the COVID-19 situation prolongs
Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has recorded 13 cases of domestic violence in March. The victims are 11 females and 2 males between 20 to 40 years of age. Earlier in the year, 4 cases were reported in January and 11 cases in February in Thimphu. There are 7 cases reported …
Read More »14 Bhutanese abroad test positive for Corona
10 Bhutanese in New York have tested positive for COVID-19. The Foreign Minister (Dr) Tandi Dorji said in New York they are aware of six COVID-19 positive cases officially through the mission but as per the news there is around 10 and of them two have recovered, two are at …
Read More »Nu 286 mn budget for Tourism Stimulus Plan
The expected budget for the Tourism Stimulus Plan is Nu 286 million (mn) which will be adjusted from the Nu 1.5 billion (bn) which was kept for the tourism flagship program. The Director General of Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), Dorji Dhradhul, said that TCB has reprioritized its entire tourism …
Read More »Clarity and Equity
The details of the His Majesty’s Royal Kidu and announcements show a lot of practical thinking and good sense that even Nobel Laureates would appreciate. A few weeks ago, a news channel was hosting two Nobel laureates in economics on what they would do to help with the situation in …
Read More »On NPL, interest waiver and rents
There are those asking for loan interest waivers for loan accounts which were Non Performing Loans (NPL) before 29th February too. This is a basic misunderstanding of the Royal Kidu. The Kidu waiver is for impact caused by COVID-19 (March onwards), and not the other NPLs prior to COVID-19 which …
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The Bhutanese Leading the way.