Sikkim announces night curfew following PMs call to step up Covid-19 measures

GANGTOK: The Sikkim Government on Wednesday imposed night curfew in the state with immediate effect to keep a check on the rising Covid-19 cases.

In a press release issued by the Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang it stated that night curfew was imposed in the state from Wednesday after 10 PM.

Taking to social media Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang stated, "It has been decided to close restaurants, bars, discos, pubs and gyms at 10 pm throughout the state, Tamang said in a social media post. Vehicles too will be barred from plying in the state after 10.30 pm.

However, the restriction shall not apply to commercial goods vehicle including LCVs and vehiccles on emergency duty. 

The chief minister further appealed to the people of Sikkim to abide by the Covid-19 protocols and wear masks and continue to follow social distancing.

All schools, institutions and establishments shall carry out special drive to ensure that the students, employees and customers continue to follow the Covid norms. 

The police shall also increase vigil, create awareness and strictly enforce the norms in public places, stated the release. 

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, Sikkim now has 45 active cases with two more cases being detected since yesterday. The state's recovery case stands at 6,013.

The decision was taken by CM Tamang soon after he attended the video conference of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Chief Ministers from different states to review the situation arising out of the recent surge in the Covid -19 cases across the country.

PM Modi on Wednesday warned the chief ministers of an 'emerging second wave' of the coronavirus, in view of the rising cases in the country.

While addressing the Chief Ministers, PM Modi said, "If we don't stop this right now, then there could be a situation of a nationwide outbreak. We have to immediately stop the emerging second peak and take big and decisive steps." The PM stressed on the need to develop micro containment zones and adopt a strategy on the basis of "test, track and treat" and implement the same pro-actively.

The PM further urged the state governments to step up measures including ramping up of vaccination drive, increasing RT-PCR testing and maintaining the Covid-19 protocols to put a halt to the surging cases.

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