Sikkim Shuts Rumtek Monastery for Tourists amid Coronavirus Scare

Gangtok, March 8, 2020:

Sikkim has closed its doors for tourist visits at its famous attraction, Rumtek Monastery starting from March 8 to April 30 as a step to prevent mass gatherings and spread of the dreaded Coronavirus.

No tourists, foreign or domestic, will be allowed to visit the Monastery till April 30. The Management of Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre has issued a notification to declare the closing of the monastery in the coming weeks to further protect the monks as well as pilgrims from Coronavirus.

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"Effective from the 8th March, 2020, entry/visit of all tourists (foreign & Indian) to the Rumtek Monastery will not be allowed. This restriction will be for an initial period of upto the 30th April of 2020. We are constraint to take up this extreme measures in view of the recent outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in parts of the country," read the notification.

The Sikkim administration's communique further read, "This is a preventive measure for the safeguard of the monks of the monastery and in line with the efforts to contain the spread of the virus in state and our country."

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The virus has spread to more than 90 countries globally. The total cases in India have increased to 39, with five new cases in Kerala.

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