Sikkim on 10-day lockdown starting May 6

Gangtok: Sikkim state government has imposed a 10-day lockdown starting May 6, until it is state day on May 16. The notification issued by State Home Department informs, “The average test positivity for COVID 19 cases in the State has been more than 20% in the last ten days, owing to which, it is felt that there is an urgent need to impose restrictions on the movement of persons within the State”.

Entry of all persons and passenger vehicles, including private and government vehicles, through all check posts located at state borders in Rangpo, Melli, Reshi, Rammam, NTPC (West Sikkim) shall be stopped. The restriction shall not be applied to the movement of Army and security personnel vehicles, essential and commercial goods carrying vehicles, or for medical emergencies. For commercial goods vehicle, only the driver shall be allowed to enter through the checkpoints. The good vehicles must exit on the same day.

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In case of exceptional emergencies, be it medical or funeral, the Sub-divisional magistrate of the area must issue the permission on a case to case basis. However, such persons entering the State must have an RT PCR negative report conducted within 48 hours of their entry into the State.

The inter-district movement of persons or private and government vehicles shall also be prohibited, mentions the lockdown notification. Similar relaxation as for inter-state movement of army or security personnel, medical emergencies and commercial goods vehicle will be allowed. The evidence of such urgencies shall have to be presented for inspection to the police personnel on duty.

There shall be a complete restriction on the movement of vehicles and persons between 5 pm to 9 am during the Sikkim lockdown, except for emergency purposes. Loading and unloading of milk supplies, vegetables and other goods and construction materials shall be allowed between 5 am to 8:30 am. There shall also be the prohibition of assembly of more than five people with a reasonable exception like funerals.

All commercial establishments during the Sikkim lockdown shall remain open from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays, with a complete shut down on Saturdays and Sundays. The restrictions shall not apply to shops for medicines, rations, milk, meat and vegetable shops.

All government offices and PSUs shall continue to remain closed till May 16, as against the earlier ruling on lockdown expiring on May 7. Government vehicles shall be restricted as before, except for emergency duties.

However, vaccination for persons above 18 years shall carry on in a phased manner.