With the continued emergence of fresh COVID-19 cases in the last three days, Bhutan on Tuesday evening announced a seven-day nationwide lockdown, effecting from 23 December, to contain the spread of the virus, The Bhutanese reported.

In the last three days, a total of 32 people tested positive for the virus in Bhutan. Authorities feared the presence of more cases as all the new cases were all as the result of local transmission. On Sunday, the government had imposed restrictions on inter-district travel.

Kkeeping the view of increasing cases, the COVID-19 taskforce decided on Tuesday to impose a nationwide lockdown. Capital Thimphu, is already in lockdown since Saturday as the most cases, 26 out of the total 32, came out from the place.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Wangchuk instructed the government to be mindful of the issues faced by the people during the last lockdown. Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tsheirng said the government is aware of problems like the inability of farmers to harvest their crops, restricted supply of essential goods from Kolkata, and the congestions problem at the Jaigaon crossing with India.