Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering has warned that the country would be "wiped out" if the fast-spreading coronavirus infection was not controlled and the people failed to adhere to safety norms.

“We will be wiped out in no time if we cannot control the spread now,” the prime minister said in an address to the nation.

Tshering said the Himalayan nation was being slowly surrounded from all corners, and if adequate control measures were not put in place and people did not adhere to the preventive measures, the country would be overwhelmed in no time.

With the South Asian region fighting a grim battle against a much severe and deadly wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Bhutan too is beginning to feel the pressure.

From the plains of Phuentsholing, Samtse, and Samdrupjongkhar, the virus has now reached the highlands of Merak in Trashigang.

Tshering said many in the country thought that after experiencing two episodes of Covid-19 outbreak, the worst was over. The vaccination programme also came as a ray of hope for many. “But look where we are at today.”

He said it was inevitable that Bhutan too would feel the impact of the worsening situation in the region, especially in neighboring India.

He said despite all the preparations, there was no guarantee that Bhutan would not experience what India was going through.

“The threat from the southern borders has now reached the east. If we are not careful, we will suffer the same fate as our neighbours.”

The SARS-CoV-2 virus was fast mutating and it was becoming more transmissible and overwhelming.

With rumours rife about a possible lockdown in the capital city Thimphu, the prime minister warned that lockdowns could happen anytime and it was not something that could be pre-planned.

“People should be prepared for this and if they are not, they will never be prepared for anything in life”

Every day Bhutan was conducting more than 15,000 tests. “If someone from this lot tests positive tonight, there will be a lockdown the next day.”

In the meantime, Trashigang has been put under  lockdown. All flights to the Yonphula domestic airport were also suspended.

(SAM)