Sikkim Resolves to Maintain Nationwide Lockdown Called by PM Modi

Gangtok, April 14, 2020:

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday said that the State Government has decided to relax the extended nationwide lockdown rules from April 20 for a few sections of the society while strict measures for others intact.

He said that the State would follow the central Government's rules related to the lockdown once they are issued, however, the same would be relaxed for small scale businesses. "We will follow the central government guidelines but we will relax those for contractors, workers, small-scale businesses, etc. We will try to help them sustain during the lockdown by relaxing the norms," said the Chief Minister.

Post-April 20, farmers and construction workers, including local laborers or those who are already working in Sikkim, will be allowed for movement while maintaining strict social distancing at the working sites.

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He further informed that around 25-30 people who are stuck in Siliguri for treatment of illnesses have been kept in Siliguri itself and that the State Government has taken care of the people. "The Dialysis patients of Sikkim who are undergoing treatment in Siliguri, have been kept in Siliguri itself. The Government is taking care of them," he said.

It may be mentioned here that Sikkim is the only State in the country with zero positive cases of Covid-19. The Northeastern State has been taking the necessary preventive measures to keep it corona-free.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the nationwide lockdown will be extended till May 3. Earlier, the country was under complete lockdown, barring essentials, for 21 days.

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The nationwide lockdown has been extended in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country. At the same time, the Prime Minister also urged the people to stay put where they are, amid reports that restrictions on inter-state travel will not be eased anytime soon.

Modi also called upon the people of the state to take care of the elders with co-morbid conditions, take care of the unprivileged ones.

“Respect people who are helping us in this tough time like healthcare workers, sanitation workers, Police, etc. With all dedication, follow the lockdown till May 3. Stay wherever you are and be safe,” said the PM.

He has also urged the people to download the Aarogya Setu App and ask others to download too and use home-made masks sincerely. Keeping in view the grave situation, Modi has urged people to refrain from snatching people’s jobs.

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“We will issue a detailed guideline tomorrow. We are making attempts so that farmers, poor people are least affected. If we will have patience, we will defeat the coronavirus,” said PM Modi.

He further said that the country has to fight the coronavirus battle even more strictly. Asserting that stringent measures will be enforced now, PM Modi said, “We cannot let our guard lower now. The hotspots need to stay alert and the places which are emerging as new hotspots need to be closely monitored as well. Till April 20, we will monitor how well the districts are doing. In places where the situation is improving, few relaxations will be made,” PM Modi said, adding that relaxations will be cancelled if the situation deteriorates later.

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