STRONGER LOCKDOWN ENFORCEMENT FOR A WEEK, CERTAIN RELAXATIONS AFTER
We cannot let a small mistake undo all our hard work: CM
BIJOY GURUNG
GANGTOK: Functioning of government offices with a certain percentage of employees, relaxation in agriculture sector and government construction projects could take place in Sikkim after April 20 depending on the Covid-19 situation and fresh guidelines from the Centre. However, the second phase national lockdown will be maintained in the State till May 3, as announced by the Centre.
“Twenty one days of the national lockdown have passed and till today, there is no single Covid-19 positive case in Sikkim. People have been asking what would be the next steps of the Sikkim government,” said Chief Minister P.S. Golay in a press meet on Tuesday here at Samman Bhawan.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended the national lockdown till May 3, stating that the lockdown will be strictly enforced in the next one week. After April 20, the coronavirus situation in every district and State will be evaluated and depending on the situation, relaxations would be allowed in the particular area.
Golay informed that the State cabinet today decided to follow the lockdown as per the decision of the Prime Minister. Till April 20, we will enforce the lockdown in a stronger manner so that a small mistake from our part does not undo all our hard work to keep Sikkim free from coronavirus, he said.
“But from April 21 onwards, we can give certain exemptions while maintaining the lockdown. We are thinking of giving exemption to our farmers so they can resume their agricultural work while also giving focus to social distancing. Government developmental works like road and building construction can start using labourers at present in Sikkim and local workforce. The contractors would be responsible for the health safety of their workers. However, the guidelines from the Centre have not come, it will come tomorrow and we will work as per the guidelines,” said the Chief Minister.
Seeing the situation after April 20 and guidelines of the Centre, we could start our departments with some percentage of the employees reporting for duty, said the Chief Minister. He added that the departmental heads and the CMO officials are fully working during the lockdown period.
Golay shared that he is aware of the aspirations of the people here that intra-State movement should be allowed. “But we cannot allow any movement during the lockdown period. We will give permission for only medical emergencies or urgent public service work. We must not only think of Sikkim, we must think of the nation and have to work as per the decision of the Prime Minister,” he said.
Stating that stronger lockdown measures would be undertaken till April 20, the Chief Minister informed that the vehicle permits issued to volunteers and social organisations doing social work during the first phase lockdown ends today.
“We are revising the vehicle permit system and from tomorrow onwards, only two vehicles in each gram panchayat would be permitted to travel. One vehicle is for transporting food grains and essential commodities and one vehicle for medical emergencies. The permits issued by different agencies and departments will be closed and now the permit issuing authority will be only the DC, SDMs and BDOs of the concerned district. All essential services and shops selling medicines and essential commodities will remain open.”
Golay appealed the people of Sikkim to once more support the government during the second phase national lockdown till May 3. Stay home, stay secure, he said.
To a question, the Chief Minister said the State government has contacted more than 1000 students of Sikkim studying outside and is sending financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 to each. We are also in contact with patients from Sikkim who are stranded in Delhi, Kolkata, Siliguri and elsewhere and extending all possible help from our side during the lockdown period, he said. He added that the border checkposts will remain fully sealed and no person would be allowed entry to Sikkim during the lockdown period.
Golay also dismissed the allegations levelled by the opposition parties regarding distribution of relief materials to the daily wage earners and needy families during the lockdown period.
To another question, the Chief Minister said the State government has ordered rapid testing kits for Covid-19. Once the kits come, we will do random testing of people at different places, he said.
Golay informed that all educational institutions in Sikkim will remain close till May 3. We will observe the situation after May 3 and then take a decision, he said.
INSPECTION FINDS INNOVATIVE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS TAKEN BY PHARMA FACTORY
SE Report
GANGTOK: Commerce & Industries director N. Jaswant today paid a surprise visit to Torrent Pharma today to check the precautions and measures being undertaken by the company in view of Covid-19.
A press release informs that the Commerce & Industries director, during his visit, found innovative ideas and solutions implemented for the purpose of sanitisation of personnel and transport at the pharma factory. The persons entering the factory are sanitized by a sanitisation tunnel and even their shoes are sanitised. Social distancing is strictly followed in all activities of the company including at the canteen also.
The buses and other vehicles of the company are fully dry cleaned, wet cleaned and then sanitized on daily basis.
Finger touch has been disabled in the biometric access and only card touch is kept for marking attendance.
All the visitors, drivers and any other person who enters the company premises are also subjected to thermal screening, checking by doctor and nurses. After having found fit, they are allowed to enter the plant premises after following the laid down drill of passing through the sanitizing tunnel, process of hand washing and sanitizing feet and thereafter going to their departments.
In case any employee or worker is found to have any symptomatic cold, cough or any other issue like fever, he or she is subjected to screening through the doctor and adequate rest or medication is provided to them accordingly. All the persons inside the premises are time and again communicated and made aware of various precautions which are required to be undertaken.
Company has displayed adequate number of posters and slogans to emphasize and make the employees aware about the precautions which are required to be taken both at workplace as well as at their homes. Computers also display the screensavers and announcements are made on entry and exit of each visit regarding various precautions to be taken for covid-19, the release informs.
Miscreants attempt to loot an ATM in Islampur
Islampur, 15th April: An ATM was allegedly attempted to be looted in wee hours of Wednesday in the Islampur Bus terminus area.
According to sources, a gang of 4 miscreants held the on-duty security guard of the ATM at knife-point and attempted to rob the ATM. They also allegedly destroyed the security system inside the ATM.
When the security guard shouted for help, the nearby shopping mall authorities reported the incident to the police station.
However, the gang fled away before the arrival of the police. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Coronavirus Pandemic: SARI Center to be set up in a Nursing Home in Siliguri
Siliguri, 15th April: In view of the Coronavirus outbreak, a nursing home in Siliguri will be converted into a Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) hospital soon. The North Bengal Medical College-Hospital has already taken over the said Nursing Home.
As per the report, a health department official Gopal Krishna Dhali held an emergency meeting along with the Nursing home authorities in this regard.
Apart from him, Siliguri Sub-divisional Officer Sumanta Sahay, NBMCH Superintendent Kaushik Samajdar, Dean Sandip Sengupta, Head of Medicine Department Dipanjan Bandhopadhyay and many other dignitaries were present during the meeting.sikkimexpress/siliguritimes/from,india
