With extremely high rate of vaccination in Bhutan and the overall situation related to pandemic well under control, it appears that by June or July 2022 Bhutan may allow for quarantine free travel. Although there is no official notification from government of Bhutan yet in this regard. The reduction of quarantine period from current 14 days to 5 days from 4th April, 2022 is perhaps a right step in this direction.
Covid – 19 & related update on Bhutan
Updated Date | 30th March 2022 |
Country Land Borders (Open, closed) | Land borders are still closed |
Quarantine Details
| Bhutan is open for tourists but with mandatory quarantine. From 4th April 2022 this mandatory quarantine period is being reduced to 5 days. Also, travelers are subject to the following: – Sustainable Development Fee (royalty) for quarantine period is waived off. – Travelers need to bear accommodation and meal charges for quarantine period. – Entry is allowed only those traveling by flight and the land route is still closed. – Minimum daily package rate will be applicable for the entire tour duration after the mandatory quarantine. – Insurance coverage is mandatory. – For unvaccinated passengers, quarantine period from 4th April 2022 remains 10 days. – Even for vaccinated person with two doses, it is encouraged to have booster doses also. – As of date, bubble flights operating by Druk Air from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Kathmandu once a week |
Covid-19 Cases as of Date | As of 29th March, 2022 Total – 26,963 Recovered – 23,137 Active – 3,816 Deaths – 10 |
Local Groups/ Gatherings | Group gathering is not permitted. Most of the towns are now open for the internal movements of locals. |
Air Travel | As of now, bubble flights operating from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Kathmandu, every Mon from Delhi, every Fri from Kolkata and every Tue from Bangkok & Kathmandu. These flights are operated by Druk Air. |
Hotels (open, closed, partially open) | The majority of the hotels are open now however because of no international tourists’ movement at the moment, hotels are working with limited capacity. |
Restaurants (open, closed, capacity limits) | Restaurants are mostly open. |
Establishments (open, closed, capacity limits) | All government and private offices/venues are open. |
Tourist Sites (open, closed, capacity limits) | Sites are all open with social distancing norms. |
Retail Stores (open, closed, capacity limits) | Retail stores are open now with Covid protocol however group gathering is not permitted. |
Transportation (public and private options) | Public transport operating as usual. |
Destination Safety and Sanitary Initiatives (in progress, certification program, etc.) | Standard operating procedures are in progress. |
Other Key Information | · About 97% of country’s population is fully vaccinated, including booster. Even children in age group 5 – 11 years have received first dose of vaccine while second dose is scheduled in mid Apr 2022. · Though no official notification yet from government but the current indicators are pointing towards reopening of Bhutan, for quarantine free travel by June – July 2022. |
