Sikkim announces complete lockdown till May 24. See details here

GANGTOK: Sikkim extends its lockdown from the current ‘partial’ restrictions ending on May 16, to a complete lockdown from May 17 to May 24 until 5 am.

While the earlier notification on May 3 had mentioned 10% positivity, the new notification mentions “the average COVID-19 positivity to be more than 20% in the last few weeks.”

In May alone, Sikkim witnessed 51 COVID-19 deaths and 2,903 COVID-19 positive cases. Taking the new 232 cases on May 14, Sikkim’s positivity rate is around 31.01% at present.

As part of complete Sikkim lockdown, all state government offices, shops, including ration shops, private commercial establishments, institutions, markets, gymnasium and factories, shall remain closed.

Exception to be made for those engaged in production of medicines, medical equipment, oxygen and allied sectors.

Central government offices shall operate as per the instructions from the Government of India. Staffs must carry valid government ID for travel.

All activities, congregation and movement of people and goods and passenger vehicles and two wheelers shall be prohibited. Only exception for passenger vehicles and people movement for essential goods like milk, vegetables, food items, animal feed, petroleum products, medical supplies, LPG shall be allowed. However, all such concerned persons and officials must carry a valid ID card or deployment letter with movement confined to normal working hours.

Further, exception to people and vehicles required for maintenance of all essential services such as hospitals, veterinary services, telecom, banks, insurance companies, power supply, sanitation, waste management, water supply, urban services, post offices, social security institutions, like old-age homes.

Medicine shops will remain open during Sikkim lockdown. Milk vending shops will be permitted from 7 to 11 am. Movement of people and vehicles for testing and vaccination must provide a valid medical papers.

Movement of passengers boarding or returning from Pakyong Airport shall be allowed only if they present a valid ticket. The condition of RTPCR negative report from 48 hours prior along with paid quarantine on the failure of the same, shall continue to be in place.