PHUENTSHOLING, 10 April, 2021 (TON): The border gate between the Bhutan-India closed on Thursday morning in context of the election protocols across the border, and will open in the evening on Saturday.

Although the border gate in Phuentsholing has been completely closed, with no entry-exit of vehicles, the Southern Covid-19 Task Force (SC19TF) in Phuentsholing maintained that everything was under control (even) before the closure.

Bhutanese drivers have been instructed on the protocols and vigilance and have been following the Covid-19 protocols, said the Chairman of the SC19TF, Sonam Wangyel.

He also said that the Indian officials who carry out the inspections were following strict protocols. Right after the inspection, Bhutanese drivers and escorts disinfect the vehicles and sanitize.

Recently, monitoring on the highways has become stricter due to the ongoing elections in West Bengal.

As safety protocols and advocacies remained primary goal, smaller groups have been formed and assigned responsibility in their respective areas, Sonam Wangyel said.

Meanwhile, the gate has been closed after the request from the counterpart government because of the ongoing elections. Officials from both the countries are in touch and closure has been facilitated accordingly.

The gate will open on 10 April evening.