Press Release

Covid-19 State Task Force Discusses Strategy to Facilitate Return of Sikkimese People Once Lock-down is Lifted

Information & Public Relations Department

Date: 23-Apr-2020
Gangtok, April 23: (IPR) Chief Secretary Shri 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 is lifted.
He informed the meeting that there is a large number of students, patients and other Sikkimese people stranded outside the State who would be returning to the State once the lockdown is lifted.
Additional Chief Secretary, Education, Shri 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.
Likewise, DG-cum-Secretary Health, Dr. P.T Bhutia shared the details of patients stranded outside the State. He also shared an SOP prepared for the systematic screening and testing of Sikkimese people returning to the State once the lockdown is lifted.
The District Collectors and officers from all four districts gave the status of preparedness and their suggestions about the logistics to be prepared to facilitate the entry of people into the State after the lifting of the lock-down.
The Chief Secretary stressed on the need to ensure all safety protocol while selecting and preparing the quarantine facilities. He directed for preparation of an online registration system at the earliest to facilitate the return of people back to the State. 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.
It was decided that student management will be done by the Education Department, while District Collectors will make arrangements for patients and others.
The Chief Secretary urged for carrying out a drive to ensure that every individual has downloaded Aarogya Setu Mobile Application. He reiterated that it is mandatory for everyone to use this App for overall safety. He added that the Aarogya Setu App is a prerequisite for anyone travelling to the State.
The Chief Secretary further directed that medical referrals outside the State is issued only in serious cases to limit the movement of people outside the State.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the issues discussed