Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs
Subject: Illegal entry of foreign workers
Four foreign workers working for Bhutan Concast Pvt. Ltd., Pasakha, Phuentsholing, were apprehended on 28 November. One more worker was apprehended on 29 November. All five workers had entered the country illegally. They were smuggled through the Ahlay Land Customs Station, Pasakha, in a truck bringing in raw materials for Bhutan Concast Pvt. Ltd.
The factory has been placed under complete lockdown as a preventive measure. The five foreign workers and two other individuals who came in close contact with the workers have been put in facility quarantine and testing will be carried out in accordance with health protocols.
This incident is a grim reminder of how people resort to reckless acts that could undermine what we have achieved thus far and compromise efforts to prevent the importation and spread of COVID-19. It is a highly irresponsible act carried out blatantly with total disregard for the laws and restrictions in place to prevent importation and spread of COVID-19. A full investigation is being carried out by the Royal Bhutan Police and the Department of Immigration and all those who are complicit shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
SC19TF, Phuentsholing
29 November 2020