Sikkim to impose complete lockdown from July 21 to July 27

Lockdown in Sikkim: The Sikkim government decided to impose a complete lockdown in the state from July 21 to July 27 in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases. A notification issued by Chief Secretary S C Gupta said that the decision to impose lockdown was taken after reviewing guidelines for the management of the Covid-19 situation in the state.

"The last Indian state to contract Covid-19 is to go on complete lockdown with effect from 21st July (from 6 am) to 27th July (6 am)," the notification issued by the Sikkim Chief Secretary stated. Government offices, shops, commercial establishments, institutions, markets and factories will remain closed except where a specific exemption is granted.

Gupta also stated in the notification that educational, training and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31 next. The notification added that all activities, congregations, movement of people and goods, passenger vehicles will remain prohibited or restricted except for exemptions granted by authorities.

Essential services will continue but the staff will have to follow strict norms of mask, gloves and carry their identity cards. District magistrates will issue orders for enforcement of night curfew from 7.30 pm to 6 am on the lockdown days to restrict and regulate movement of people and vehicles and to ensure compliance with existing norms of social distancing, public hygiene and use of Arogya Setu application, according to the notification.

Sikkim has reported 305 positive cases in two months. The first case was reported on May 23. There are 213 active cases, while around a hundred got recovered from the deadly virus.