COVID-19: All Tourist Attractions Closed in Sikkim Until Further Orders

Gangtok, March 18, 2020:

Going forward with the tackling the COVID-19 or novel coronavirus menace, Sikkim has ordered to close down of all of its tourist spots on Wednesday.

Moreover, the Sikkim Tourism & Civil Aviation department has urged the locals to refrain from visiting tourist places.

"Operation of Ropeway/Cable Car at Tsomgo Lake and Namchi under Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim is stopped with immediate effect till further notice," read a directive issued by the Sikkim Tourism.

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It added, "Hotels/homestays all over the State are requested to not entertain any further tourist bookings w.e.f 18th March 2020 till further orders. Further, the booking of hotel for purpose of wedding/functions/parties should be discouraged to maintain social distancing..."

The Sikkim Government has ordered all the tourists to head for their respective hometowns in the wake of increasing cases of confirmed coronavirus in India. The notice said, "In view of the decision of the Government of Sikkim to ban entry of all tourists to Sikkim till 15th April, 2020 or till further orders, tourists who are still in Sikkim are advised to cancel all further stay/tour in Sikkim and proceed to their respective home towns at the earliest."

The safety measure came a day after Sikkim decided on a slew of other steps to keep the virus away from the organic state of the country.

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The District Administrative Centre, East District, has ordered to allow only Sikkim residents having valid ID proofs through the Rangpo Checkpost. The "employees of government, public sector undertakings and private sectors coming from outside the State and working in Sikkim will be allowed on production of valid ID proof," stated the order.

"Any other person, nonresident of Sikkim will be allowed entry at Rangpo Checkpost only in case of emergency on special request from Sikkimese residents or Company/Private Institutions after proper verification and screening," added the order that is applicable till April 15.

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