Q/ It is heartening to know that Sikkim, a popular tourist destination, has no cases of Covid-19 so far. How did you manage that?
A/ We closed our borders to international tourists in early March. By mid March, domestic tourists were also banned. Thanks to all this, we are still a Covid-free state. We ensured that our borders were kept under surveillance to restrict illegal public movement. All except two border entry points (Rangpo and Melli) were closed. The border checkposts that are open have a fully equipped medical team along with border security personnel. We also had CCTV cameras installed to monitor the situation.
There are remote villages of the neighbouring state whose people are dependent on us. We supplied them with essential commodities. This strategy helped to discourage those people from entering the state.
The people of Sikkim strictly followed the guidelines. We appealed to our people living outside the state to stay where they were. We designated nodal officers in metropolitan cities to coordinate with stranded people, giving them relief (cash, food and other essentials) and accommodation.
Q/ There are reports that Sikkim will charge illegal immigrants with attempt to murder.
A/ We closed our borders in mid-March, but stray cases of people crossing the borders were still being reported. They were not only flouting the laws but also endangering the lives of the people of Sikkim. Therefore, we sealed our borders and took certain legal measures to keep the people of Sikkim safe.
Q/ How equipped is the state to tackle Covid-19?
A/ Sikkim is all geared up to fight Covid-19. Sufficient amount of personal protective equipment, hand sanitisers, infrared scanners and gloves have been procured and supplied to all hospitals and frontline workers. STNM Hospital, which has approximately 300 isolation beds, 20 ICU beds and 10 PICU beds, has been designated as a Covid-19 hospital. We also have 27 ventilators available, besides quarantine centres (both paid and free) in all the four districts.... The state started screening from February. Covid-19 samples are sent to the virology laboratory at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri.... We also organise campaigns to create awareness on the pandemic, its management and the protocol to be followed for quarantine and treatment.
Q/ You said samples are being sent to Siliguri. Doesn’t the state have testing laboratories?
A/ We have a Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at STNM Hospital, Gangtok, which will soon be operational. Truenat Beta CoV test is also carried out at STNM Hospital.
Q/ The Nathu La trade route has been closed and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been called off. How have these affected the tourism industry?
A/ It has definitely affected our tourism industry and we have been hit hard. But in this time of pandemic, we have given preference to the safety and security of our people and hence stopped the inflow of tourists till October.
Q/ The decision to ban tourists till October could affect the livelihood of many. How will the state tide over this crisis?
A/ Covid-19 has wreaked havoc with people’s livelihood. To mitigate the economic hardships faced by those in the tourism industry, we have decided to create an Economic Revival Committee. The cabinet has also decided to take austerity measures and utilise that money for the cause of affected people. Taxi drivers who have been hit badly by this lockdown are being provided with an economic relief package. Similarly, economic relief was also provided to students and patients stranded in different parts of the country, people in the media and ASHA workers.