Covid-Free Sikkim Seeking to Revive Intra-State Tourism amid Crisis

Gangtok, April 28, 2020:

As the season for tourism draws to a close, Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of the tourism hub Sikkim, says that the administration is now looking at intra-state tourism in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

During an interaction with media personnel at his residence in Gangtok, Tamang said that this year's first tourist season is already over, and if the crisis continues, there will be no scope for tourism. "But we will try to practice intra-state tourism. We will revive homestays and our department is working further to explore the other options", said Tamang.

Hours after it came to light that a West Sikkim lady has tested positive for the coronavirus in New Delhi, Golay informed that the patient is now undergoing treatment at Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute Hospital at New Delhi.

"The infection was spread from the hospital. As soon as her status was revealed, we shifted her to the hospital and later we also quarantined the people with her", said Golay, adding the Sikkimese Government in accordance with the rules/guidelines laid down by the Delhi Government.

Responding to a query on how the state is being kept free from corona, Golay attributed his state's success to the people's cooperation and strict enforcement of lockdown rules as dictated by Government. "We have taken initiatives far ahead of the the national lockdown was announced by the PM and our all frontliners also work seriously, so we have zero cases", Golay said.

It may be mentioned here that the lady, suffering from chronic kidney failure, was on dialysis at the Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute and is a kidney patient undergoing treatment in New Delhi. She was residing in the Denzong Kunga Khangsang (DKK Bhawan) established by the Government of Sikkim.

According to a letter written by the Assistant Director (Nursing) of DKK Bhawan to the Resident Commissioner of Sikkim, the lady had a COVID-19 test done yesterday on a routine basis for all dialysis patients. Around 9:40 pm, the patient’s relative got a call from the hospital saying that she had tested positive and needed to be tested to the hospital for treatment.

This development assumes extra significance as the state of Sikkim is the only one in left in India with any cases of the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, cases of the COVID-19 continue to rise in the Northeast Indian region. Today, Assam has reported two fresh cases of the virus. Two people — from Bongaigaon and Goalpara districts — have tested positive with the last 24 hours. The cases in the state have risen to 37.

In Meghalaya, meanwhile, the patients are said to be on the path towards recovery. Talking to Inside Northeast earlier today, Hek said, “Right now, our Government is focused on containing the spread of the virus, and we have been successful to a certain degree. Eleven of the patients are still positive, while one has died.”

The patients, however, Hek said, are on their way towards recovery. “I don’t see any possibility of any further casualties and none of the patients have any symptoms. All of the patients are recovering now. They are all stable and normal. 3 patients are in the corona care centre in Shillong, while the others have been quarantined at home”, Hek informed.

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