Sikkim Prepares for Influx of 1800 Students & Others Stranded Elsewhere amid Lockdown

Gangtok, April 24, 2020:

Sikkim Government yesterday made a "strategy" for the return of Sikkimese People stranded elsewhere amid the nationwide lockdown. Of those who could return, 1,800 are students. Several patients and others are also said to be eyeing a return.

Chief Secretary S.C. Gupta chaired the State Task Force Meeting today to discuss the strategy to facilitate the return of Sikkimese people, including students and patients, who are stranded outside the State, after the lockdown period is lifted on May 3.

In the meeting, Gupta informed that there are a large number of students, patients and others who have been stranded outside the state who would be returning to the state once the lockdown is lifted.

The Chief Secretary said that the entry of people from the two entry points of Rangpo and Melli checkposts will strictly be based on the online self-declaration forms filled by each individual. This way, each person will be identified and regulated.

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Additional Chief Secretary of Education, G.P. Upadhyaya shared the details of Sikkimese students who are stranded outside the State. He also shared the details of available resources under the Department for converting them into quarantine facilities.

Upadhyaya also stressed on the need to ensure all safety protocol while selecting and preparing the quarantine facilities and directed the preparation of an online registration system at the earliest to facilitate the return of people back to the State.

Upadhyay said that the number of Sikkim students studying elsewhere is around 1,800 and provisions are being made to arrange quarantine rooms for them once they return via flights and trains. "They will have to stay for a minimum 14 days", Upadhyay said.

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It was decided that the student management will be done by the Education Department, while District Collectors will make arrangements for patients and others.

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