Sikkim bans public gatherings as COVID positivity rate spikes

SIKKIM: In an announcement on Thursday, July 16, the Government of Sikkim banned all entertainment-related and socio-religious activities for the next 30 days due to an increased COVID-19 positivity rate of 20.7 per cent. The Himalayan state reported 137 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, spiking the total caseload to 22,929. According to the official statement, marriage ceremonies, prayer meetings, and get-together parties have been banned in both rural and urban areas of the state. The decision was taken by a committee chaired by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim. 

Their statement clarified that only in-house prayer meetings will be allowed with the condition that no visitors be present. The Sikkim government has also imposed a ban on citizens visiting religious places or institutions in the state. For the next 30 days, serving food and beverages at a wake has also been prohibited. The officials also announced that a whole ward village will be declared a containment zone if even a single person tests positive for COVID-19 in the region. Similar measures will be taken in the urban landscape by containing the entire building. The state will be adopting stricter measures, health and police personnel will not be exempted and given any special permits. Furthermore, the odd-even rule for vehicles will also be enforced. 

Even though Sikkim has covered over 60 per cent of the adult population with the first dose of the vaccination, it is still one of the worst-hit states with a high COVID-19 positivity rate. 

To tackle the rising numbers, the state will also run awareness campaigns to spread information regarding coronavirus and the penalties issued against those violating the COVID-19 guidelines established by the state.