22/05/2021
SIKKIM CM REVIEWS COVID SITUATION IN THE STATE
Gangtok, May 22 (IPR): A high-level Covid-19 review meeting was held at Samman Bhawan today under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Mayor & Deputy Mayor GMC, Chief Secretary, DGP, ACS, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Confidential Secretary to HCM, and officers of the Covid-19 Management Group.
Keeping in view the current situation of Covid-19 in Sikkim, the State government after much deliberation has decided to extend the state-wide lockdown by another week. The meeting decided that there will be complete lock-down till 31st May, 2021.
However, partial relaxation has been granted for ration and vegetable shops. These shops will be allowed to operate from 8 am to 11 am with effect from 24 May, 2021. The other restrictions and guidelines for containment of Covid-19 issued as per Order No. 19/Home/2021 dated 15/05/2021 shall remain intact, it was informed.
The Hon'ble Chief Minister has appealed to all to shop for ration and vegetables at their respective local vicinities while following Covid appropriate behaviour as conscious effort towards extending support to the State administration in the fight against Covid-19 outbreak.
The meeting also assessed the present situation of Covid-19 in the State with main focus on the State's preparedness for screening, diagnosis and management of any possible cases of Mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, in the State.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister directed the Health Department to immediately set up a Technical Expert Committee to oversee and streamline the procurement of anti- Covid-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and Covid-19 self testing kit, CoviSelf. This committee will also be monitoring and mobilising measures to tackle Mucormycosis or black fungus that critically affects a section of patients recovering from Covid-19.
The HCM applauded the efforts of the Transport Department in ensuring timely transportation of oxygen cylinders in the State. He further directed the constitution of an Oxygen Plant Set-up Committee headed by Transport Minister, Shri Sanjit Kharel, along with Secretary-Transport, Secretary-Health, GM-Transport and DE-Health. This committee will be auditing and monitoring the supply of oxygen cylinders while also deliberating on setting up of Oxygen Plants in various locations in the State.
The HCM further issued directives to the RDD Department for setting up dedicated Covid care and isolation centres at every GPU in the State in close coordination with the DCs and BDOs in order to extend proper Covid care for people in poor living circumstances, thereby mitigating the challenges at the local level.
He directed the Police Department to make adequate law and order arrangements to ensure strict vigilance during the lockdown. He has urged all the HoDs and officers to be present at their respective stations and be available at all times.
During the meeting, the HCM also announced a one-time incentive of Rs. 10,000 to be granted to ASHA workers from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in recognition of their significant contribution towards Covid-19 pandemic related work.
Earlier, Chief Secretary, Shri S.C. Gupta, in his opening address, presented a brief overview of the Covid-19 status in the State and highlighted various initiatives being undertaken by the administration in combating the Covid-19 outbreak in Sikkim.
