nCoV scare: Domestic tourists added to Sikkim no-entry list

SILIGURI: From Tuesday, Sikkim will ban entry of domestic tourists to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Hills state. Sikkim residents have also been advised not to travel outside the state unless there is an emergency and pharmaceutical companies and other industrial units have been asked to shut down their units.
The state had earlier banned entry of foreign nationals and later restricted entry of domestic tourists in North Sikkim.Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday imposed a complete ban on domestic tourist arrival till further notice. While that would translate into economic hardship for the people dependent on tourism, the state is mulling options to provide relief. Entry of labourers from outside the state has also been barred.
Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of the Himalayan Hospital and Tourism Development, said, “The peak season starts from April and the average tourist footfall in Sikkim and Darjeeling is 7.5 lakh. Nearly 60% bookings have already been cancelled,” he said. However, a Pelling-based tour operator, Narayan Kahtiwada, pointed out that tourists already in the state will be allowed to stay.
Melli and Rangpo will be the designated check posts for screening and additional manpower will be deployed. The Rambam, Reshi and Uttarey check posts will be closed. The Tourism Guest House at Rangpo will be converted into a quarantine ward and similar arrangements will be made in Melli. SICB Centre in Karfectar, South Sikkim, will be converted into an isolation unit.
Apart from educational institutions, cinema halls, casinos, pubs, gyms and hotels will remain closed till April 15. Students from other states studying in Sikkim have been prevented from going home.
While Tamang feels there is no reason to panic, he instructed officials to take every possible step to prevent spread of coronavirus. Residents have also been advised to store essential commodities to avoid shortage in future.