6 March 2020, 2:31 pm
Coronavirus : State Takes Major Decision Over Coronavirus Outbreak
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Coronavirus : State Takes Major Decision Over Coronavirus Outbreak
06 Mar, Gangtok (IPR) : Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim reviews and discusses preparedness and action plan for any possible Corona Virus outbreak in the State.
Gangtok, 6th March 2020
Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Shri S.C Gupta chaired a meeting on 4th March, 2020 to review and discuss preparedness and action plan for any possible Corona Virus outbreak in the State.
The meeting was attended by DGP, Principal Secretary, Health, Principal Secretary, RDD, DG-cum-Secretary, Health, Principal Director, Animal Husbandry, Secretary, IPR, Secretary, Transport, DC, SP, East, West, North, South and other officials.
The following points were discussed and decided in the meeting:
1. Health Department and Police Headquarters shall strengthen Checkposts with adequate manpower. Duty roster to be prepared for deputed check posts.
2. District Collectors of the districts are nominated as In charge of COVID ? 19 outbreak response at the districts.
3. Tourism Department shall conduct meetings with stakeholders (Travel Agents, Hoteliers) at the earliest.
4. Secretary IPR highlighted that Community Radio Station be used for public awareness and airing of information in context to COVID-19. Advisories from Health department shall be sent periodically to IPR Department.
5. Health and Education Department shall ensure compulsory screening of foreign students who are studying in Sikkim.
6. DC West stated that Bhumchu festival is celebrated with great devotion by all the Buddhists of the State and other foreign devotees. In order to avoid mass gathering and transmission of the disease, the participation of the foreigners in the festival is to be banned this year. Even the local visitors to be screened and monitored.
7. In view of the upcoming Holi festival, mass gathering shall be avoided and use of chemical gulal to be banned.
8. RDD shall increase the number of Gram Sabhas throughout the Districts of the State to spread public awareness regarding the virus.
9. Inner Liner Permit to all the foreigners shall be banned till further notice. This includes the citizen of Bhutan. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed regarding the above decision of the State Government.
10. Tourism Department to suspend Nathula permit till further notice.
11. Sherethang Trade scheduled to start in May, 2020 shall be suspended till further orders.
12. Tourism Department shall issue travel advisory to advise all Sikkimese not to visit the 5 most effected countries (Iran, Italy, Japan, China and South Korea).
13. Health Department shall meet the staff at the border and train them on screening of passengers at the border.
14. DG-cum-Secretary, Health to be the Spokesperson for Health Department and the District Collectors for the Districts.
15. Sikkim State Disaster Management shall support Health Department on publicity.
16. Education Department shall inform students regarding the Corona Virus in the morning assemblies.
Subsequently, as per the communication received from Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs-
(i) the participation 33 youth of Sikkim who were scheduled to participate in North East Youth Exchange programme at Delhi stands cancelled.
(ii) the participation of under 13, under 15 football teams scheduled to participate in Delhi Exposure and selection of prince of football w.e.f. 26.03.2020 stands cancelled.
(iii) The ongoing Chief Minister?s Archery Championship has been postponed. 4 teams from Bhutan have been restricted from participating in the championship.
(iv) 50 youth from Nehru Yuva Kendra Delhi who are already here in Sikkim under Ek Bharat Ek Shrestha are undergoing medical test.
(v) North East NSS festival w.e.f. 19th to 23rd March has been postponed to April.