No COVID-19 cases, Sikkim to partially lift lockdown on April 20

By
Asha Kiran
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No Covid-19 cases in sikkim
While the rest of the world was still thinking as to how to tackle the pandemic, Sikkim started screening all the individuals entering the Himalayan State. This screening started as early as January 29 with over 6 lakh individuals screened as of April 18.
The early screening paid them their bonus. They sent 80 samples for testing, all results came back as negative. The state does not have its own COVID-19 testing lab or viral lab. This has been one of the foremost demands of the state to the Center, by this No Covid-19 cases in sikkim.
Now, Sikkim is prepared to partially lift the lockdown from April 20. It has decided to keep its borders sealed and imposed a ban on inter and intra-state travel till May 3.
Geographically, Sikkim has more threat as it has three countries as its neighbors – China in the north, Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Hence, it has taken more precatuions. With the virus outbreak in China and its early spread in Nepal in January, Sikkim sealed its borders specifically the Nathu La border with China, putting an embargo on locals, domestic and foreign tourists from visiting border regions.
We also laid focus on sealing the porous borders with Nepal in the West keeping only two borders at Rangpo and Melli as entry and exit points with West Bengal Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay,  said.