Bhutan is mulling restrictions on the movement of Bhutanese vehicles, except those transporting essential goods, via Assam and West Bengal in view of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Only vehicles that need to transport medicines, fuel and food supplies, will have to move across the border with precautions even if the situation gets worst,” Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said.

He said that the Indian government had assured the continued flow of essential goods to Bhutan. He urged people to avoid travelling across the border as a precautionary measure.

The prime minister hinted at stopping buses from Phuentsholing after two days. He added that buses could be stopped immediately if there were no advance bookings for two days.

Regional transport officer in Phuentsholing, Karchung, said that about 84 buses depart to various places from the Phuentsholing bus station on a daily basis. Buses to Kolkata and Silliguri have already been stopped.

A joint parliamentary committee had discussed with the prime minister about the possibility of restricting private vehicles from using Indian routes. The committee chair, Dorji Wangdi, said that committee was of the view that buses could ply vial India with clear protocols such as the need for passengers to carry lunches and restrictions on interaction with other people along the way.

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has notified that it would seal all the informal routes along the border areas to enhance surveillance and compliance to preventive measures.

Informal routes include mule tracks or other routes that are not used officially.