Sikkim begins bringing back stranded people amid COVID-19 lockdown
Sikkim government has started the process to bring back stranded students, patients and other people of the State safely from different parts of the country amid COVID-19 lockdown. Online registration system for the same has been launched by chief minister P S Golay on Friday for Sikkimese people stuck in different parts of the country. Those people who do not have smartphone can call on helpline numbers given in the portal for registration process.
Sikkim Helpline numbers for stranded citizens are 03592-201145/202461 and 6295756071, 6297298807, 6295728492 available from 9 AM to 5 PM. Addressing a press conference, chief secretary S C Gupta mentioned that the State Task Force has been discussing on different issues to bring back Sikkimese people stuck in different parts of the country. He stated that as per reports received from panchayats, legislators and other concerns around 6424 people from Sikkim include students, patients and other people have been stuck in different parts of the country.
However, he added that numbers of stranded people may go up or decrease after the completion of the online registration process. Gupta expressed that it was a sensitive issue as stranded people wants to come back home. He added that the priority of the State Government was the prevention and to maintain Sikkim COVID-19 free state by ensuring the safety of the people. He stated that as per the guideline issued the Centre regarding stranded people the State has also appointed nodal officer to facilitate the process to bring back stranded people.
Secretary (coordination for COVID-19), Home Department, Rinzing Chewang Bhutia has been appointed as nodal officer for the movement of stranded persons and to facilitate and coordinate all related workers a cell has been constituted comprised of Transport Department secretary, Raju Basnet, PCE-cum-General Manager of SNT, Karma Namgyal Bhutia and under secretary (coordination), Sunny Kharel.
He stated that the stranded people have to make online registration to know the exact numbers and location of stranded people in different parts of the country. He asserted that Aarogya Setu app was compulsory to complete the registration process. He mentioned that SNT buses will be used to bring back stranded people from Siliguri to Sikkim and open space at Matigara complex will be used for the purpose. Chief Secretary mentioned that stranded person has to go through medical screening includes thermal screening, medical assessment, travel history and other related information at Rangpo and Melli check posts.
He asserted that compulsory quarantine was compulsory for all people coming from outside and medical teams would send hospital, institutional and home quarantines after assessment . He added that there was option of paid quarantine in identified hotels by following proper protocol .He informed that 5000 beds were ready for quarantine facility. He stated that ASHA workers, Aganwadi workers and incharge of PHCs would strictly ensure medical protocol in home quarantine and they will also have support of concerned MLAs and ward panchayats.
Gupta mentioned that Education Department will take care of around 1800 students coming from outside the State and avail quarantine in school and college hostels. He informed that at first Sikkimese people stranded presently in Siliguri would be brought back to Sikkim. He added that Sikkimese students and people in far places was a matter of concern and discussion has been going with different authorities to bring them back. He asserted that online registration was compulsory for every person from Sikkim who are presently outside the State even if they do not want to come back.
