COVID-19: Section 144 Imposed in East Sikkim District till April 15

Guwahati, March 19, 2020:

Amid the threat posed by the quickly-spreading pandemic coronavirus (or COVID-19) that has claimed 9,303 lives, the administration of East Sikkim has promulgated prohibitory orders in the district as a precautionary measure. Now, Section 144 of the CrPc has been imposed in East Sikkim district and the assembly of five or more persons is being prohibited. The order shall be in force till April 15.

In the order that was issued earlier today by the District Magistrate, Raj Yadav, it has been directed that an assembly of five or more persons shall be prohibited in the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) area and Bazaar areas of Ranipool, Singtam, Rangpo, Pakyong, Rhenock and Rongli. However, marriages and social gatherings shall be exempted.

Furthermore, it has been instructed that any person suffering from COVID-19 or anyone who has come in contact with a carrier shall be bound to immediately cooperate and comply with directions of the identified surveillance team. Anyone refusing to take measures for prevention or treatment or refusing to cooperate with the directions of surveillance team shall be prosecuted under u/s 270 of the Indian Penal Code.

Moreover, all owners/in-charge of any premises shall immediately report to the nearest health facility or telephonically to 104 (Health Department's Control Room) and 03592-284444 (District Control Room) regarding any person residing in the premises and suspected to have COVID-19 or having travel history to affected countries shall be bound to cooperate with the directions of surveillance team and any person refusing to cooperate with the directions of surveillance team shall be prosecuted under u/s 270 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 in addition to breach of this order.

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Meanwhile, state governments around the country are taking various measures to prevent the spread of virus. In the wake of the same, the state government of Sikkim had also issued a notification mentioning the prohibition of all tourists in the state. International visitors had already been inhibited from entering the state but with effect from 17 March (today) until 15 April or any further notice, even the domestic tourists shall not be let into the state, read the notification. And in order to check the same Rangpo has long queue in the checking process.

Apart from the information about the domestic tourists, the notification also mentioned the closure of all private and government educational institutions, casinos, gymnasiums, cinema halls, melas, exhibitions and any sort of public gathering be cancelled.

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Also the Check posts at Reshi, Ramman and Uttarey have been closed for all the visitors. Only major entry points, Rangpo and Melli are functional for people to enter the state with strict medical and police check-up.

At the same time, Sikkim Tourism, which sustains the lives of many of the locals, has come crashing down and has cost revenue in the crores.

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