THE NATION

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both at the national level and the local level. Since the first case in March, international borders were sealed and after August all the areas in the southern areas are identified as high risk area to ensure there is no local transmission. There was interruption …

Six days on since the second lockdown, the country has seen an increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases. Apart from Thimphu, Paro has been receiving the second highest number of positive cases till date. According to Paro Dzongdag, Tenzin Thinley, the Shaba cluster in Paro is declared as a red …

Right before the National Lockdown, when Thimphu was at the verge of a lockdown, people from different regions noticed a sudden change in price on face masks and other relevant protective products and poured their thoughts onto forums and groups on Facebook.  Although the Office of Consumer Protection had repeatedly …

The Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu which was launched on 14th April 2020 has so far supported livelihoods for 34,384 people who had been affected by the pandemic and the Relief Kidu will be extended by three months from January 2021 till March 2021. The fourth phase of the Relief Kidu …

Two forest fire incidences were reported on 24 December when everyone was fighting against the spread of COVID-19 in the community in Thimphu. One incident was reported from above Bjimena school at around 12:30 pm while the second forest fire was reported from near Dechenphodrang Lhakhang at around 4:50 pm. …

Extraction of timber problematic due to fragile geological condition, difficult terrain, poor accessibility and infrastructure As recommended by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in their reports to open up the timber industry and have a bigger wood based industry in the country, to …

The Good Governance Committee presented a review report on the Annual Anti-Corruption Commission Report 2019 on Tuesday. The Report consisted of the Commission’s policy priorities; performance of the ACC; Bhutan’s ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (TI-CPI); follow-up on National Council’s recommendation; and issues for deliberation. The Committee reported …

The National Council (NC) has passed European Investment Bank (EIB) Framework Agreement with 18 yes votes and 5 abstaining. The agreement came as an urgent bill and the agreement will be submitted to for Royal Assent. The government will be using EIB to help revive the country’s economy which was …

The flu vaccine for the general population has arrived, and it has cleared, regulatory requirements, since the ministry had to get clearance from the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA). It is being be distributed to the health facilities. The ministry has been receiving queries on the flu vaccine for the general …

A total of 491 health professionals have been deployed on COVID-19 duty. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) has deployed 277 health staff on COVID-19 duty as of 28 November. Phuentsholing hospital has deployed 124 health staff, Eastern Regional Referral Hospital has deployed 32 health staff, and Central Regional …