Coronavirus: Foreign Nationals Banned from Attending Bhumchu Festival in Sikkim

Gangtok, March 3, 2020:

Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim reviews and discusses preparedness and action plan for any possible Coronavirus outbreak in the State. After deciding not to issue Inner Line Permit (ILP) to foreign nationals, the Government has also decided to ban foreigners from the attending the Bhumchu festival.

Bhumchu festival is celebrated with great devotion by all the Buddhists of the State and other foreign devotees, in order to avoid mass gathering and transmission of the disease, the participation of the foreigners in the festival is to be banned this year. Even the local visitors are to be screened and monitored. Moreover, in view of the upcoming Holi festival, mass gathering shall be avoided and use of chemical gulal to be banned.

ALSO READ: Only thing Unprecedented about Assam Budget 2020-21 is its ‘Leak’, Claims Opposition

This was decided when the Chief Secretary Gupta chaired a meeting on March 4 to review and discuss preparedness and action plan for any possible Coronavirus outbreak in the State.

The meeting was attended by DGP, Principal Secretary, Health, Principal Secretary, RDD, DG-cum-Secretary, Health, Principal Director, Animal Husbandry, Secretary, IPR, Secretary, Transport, DC, SP, East, West, North, South and other officials.

Now, it has been resolved that the Health Department and Police Headquarters shall strengthen Checkposts with adequate manpower. Duty roster will also be prepared for deputed check posts.

Meanwhile, the District Collectors of the districts have been nominated as In charge of COVID – 19 outbreak response at the districts, and the Tourism Department shall conduct meetings with stakeholders (Travel Agents, Hoteliers) at the earliest.

Community Radio Station shall also be used for public awareness and airing of information in context to COVID-19. Advisories from Health department shall be sent periodically to IPR Department. Health and Education Department have also been instructed to ensure compulsory screening of foreign students who are studying in Sikkim.

ALSO READ: US Tourist who Recently Visited Guwahati, Detected with Coronavirus in Bhutan

The Sikkimsese administration has decided to ban Inner Liner Permit to all the foreigners till further notice. This includes the citizen of Bhutan. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed regarding the above decision of the State Government. Moreover, the Tourism Department has also decided to suspend Nathula permit till further notice.

Sherethang Trade scheduled to start in May, 2020 shall be suspended till further orders, and the Tourism Department shall issue travel advisory to advise all Sikkimese people not to visit the 5 most affected countries (namely, Iran, Italy, Japan, China and South Korea).

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.