AS COVID19 CASES CONTINUE TO RISE ACROSS INDIA, HOW ONE STATE REMAINS COMPLETELY CORONA FREE?

Countries across the globe continue to see a rise in number of COVID19 cases. While, all the states in the country are reporting high number of cases, Sikkim remains to be a Corona- Free State. 

Officials attribute this success to the proactive measures taken by the Sikkim government since March5. The state banned entry of tourists and suspended permit for the most popular site, Nathula permit as well as the Inner- line Permit (ILP) for foreign travelers. 

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) which is in power in the state is led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang who barred Sino- India trade near the Nathula International Border.

"The state government had to initiate stern and timely measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 and the results are in front of everyone," a senior official told the media. The state government progressed by setting up a task force headed by the chief secretary which included senior officials of health, tourism and other important departments. District collectors who played an important role in monitoring and controlling the situation at a ground level were also a part of the task force. 

"It is due to collective efforts of all stakeholders of the society that Sikkim is still free from the dreaded coronavirus, with all its four districts remaining in the green zone," the official added.

“The Sikkim government has also initiated evacuation of thousands belonging to the state stranded in other parts of the country due the lockdown. a Total of 1,122 people have returned out of 6,922 who had registered themselves on the official portal,” CNN News18 cited in its report.