entering and exiting tibet

So i am finding that from zhodian ( shangri-la)
that one has too book themselves into and out of tibet in order
to even apply for the permit

tjhis was info fro a few tour operators and the TTB office
they claim it has to do with the last few weeks the government changed the policy

Is anyone else in other locations recieving the same info
such as having to book themselves out of tibet before a permit can be applied for???

as well anyone that has done the yunnan or sichuan routes into lhasa by land if you could post where exactly the checkpoints are
would be of great use
thanks