Sikkim to Clamp Section 144 from April 4 in bid to Remain free from COVID-19

Gangtok, May 3, 2020:

Sikkim, the only state in the country that is free from the coronavirus, falls under the green zone so there will be leniency of shops and vehicular movement when the second phase of the lockdown is lifted tomorrow. However, the administration, once again refusing to take any risks, has clamped Section 144 once again from tomorrow.

All licenced locality stores and shops which are standalone shops (except shops in shopping complexes and mulri-brand and single-brand malls) shall remain open with 50% strength of the workers from 10 am to 4 am. However, the wearing of masks and strict adherence to social distancing will be mandatory. The markings outside the shops to facilitate this should be ensured, the Sikkim Government has instructed.

It was informed by DC East Sikkim, Raj Yadav today in an interaction with media. Talking about the vehicular movement, the DC informed that a 'numble plate' formula will be instituted to cut down on the clutter on the streets. Vehicles with registration plates that end with zero or ones will be allowed tomorrow. Similarly, the next day only vehicles having registration numbers that end with 2 or 3 will be allowed.

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While taking about the migrant labourers who are stranded in Sikkim, he said, "We are waiting for the demands from the state; as soon as we receive the demands, we will plan accordingly."

He further informed that the first batch of stranded Sikkimese from Siliguri in West Bengal will be brought to Sikkim tomorrow from Rangpo. "After receiving the first batch we will further plan our strategy", he added.

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