Press Release

Chief Secretary chaired the meeting of the State Task Force for Covid-19 prevention

Information & Public Relations Department

Date: 23-Mar-2020
Gangtok, March 23 (IPR): Chief Secretary Shri S.C Gupta chaired the meeting of the State Task Force for Covid-19 prevention here at Tashiling Secretariat today. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries, Nodal Officer for COVID-19, Joint Secretary, Government of India, Shri Puneet Kansal, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and Officers of line departments. The meeting was also attended by the District Collector of all four districts through video conferencing. The Chief Secretary thanked people of Sikkim for supporting the cause of Sunday's Janata Curfew. He requested Law Secretary for immediate implementation of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 in the State of Sikkim. The Food and Civil Supplies Department was asked to ensure that there is no spike in prices of essential commodities in the market. Further, the department was directed to explore whether they can provide two-month PDS supply in advance to the beneficiaries. The District Collectors were directed to enforce requirement of compulsory quarantining of those returning from countries notified by the Health Ministry. The meeting decided to convert 8th and 9th floors of the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital, Sochakgang into a designated facility for treating confirmed cases of COVID-19. In view of the fact that the Pharmaceutical companies are engaged in Manufacture of essential medicines, it was decided that they should be allowed to function normally even during the lock down period. However, the ban on entry of new workers should be maintained. These units shall ensure all medical safety precautions.