Sikkim only coronavirus-free state in India, proactive steps made this a reality: Officials

Gangtok, May 14 () The ubiquitous coronavirus thathas wreaked havoc across the world and India, taking lives atwill and locking up millions within the confines of the fourwalls, is yet to breach the fortress of the tiny border stateof Sikkim, which does not have a single COVID-19 case.

Officials attribute this remarkable achievement to aslew of proactive measures since March 5, including banningentry of tourists and suspending issuance of permits for thepopular Nathula visit, as well as the Inner-line Permit (ILP)for foreign travellers.

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government headedby Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also temporarily barredSino-India trade near the Nathula International Border.

"The state government had to initiate stern and timelymeasures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 and the resultsare in front of everyone," a senior official told .

Going forward in a "methodical manner", the Sikkimgovernment was quick to set up a task force headed by thechief secretary, comprising senior officials of health,tourism and some other key departments, besides all thedistrict collectors to monitor the measures to contain thespread of the virus, he said.

A similar task force was set up at the grassrootlevel, too, to deal with the COVID-19 situation, he said.

"It is due to collective efforts of all stakeholdersof the society that Sikkim is still free from the dreadedcoronavirus, with all its four districts remaining in thegreen zone," the official said.

The COVID-19 death toll in India rose to 2,549 and thenumber of cases crossed the 78,000-mark on Thursday, accordingto government data.

The Sikkim government has also initiated evacuation ofthousands belonging to the state stranded in other parts ofthe country due the lockdown, he said, adding, a total of1,122 people have returned out of 6,922 who had registeredthemselves on the official portal.

Likewise, 686 people from other states who were stuckin east Sikkim have been transported to the New JalpaiguriStation by buses for their onward journey, the official said. KDKRBT RBT