p s golay oath taking
File image of Sikkim chief minister P S Golay

Sikkim Government on Saturday has agreed to allow people stranded in different parts of the country to return to Sikkim by their own vehicles if they so desire.

This process would start from Monday onwards.

Earlier, the State Government has been bringing stranded students, patients and other people from Siliguri and neighbouring hills only through Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) buses since May 5.

However, as per the direction of the Central Government, only regulated movement is allowed during the lockdown period so to facilitate the easy movement of people in their own vehicles or vehicles hired for the purpose, an application form should be filled.

The form may be viewed at https://covid19sikkim.org/home/vehiclepermit.

It is informed that the application in itself is not a permit to travel to Sikkim and only on approval, a link will be sent to the registered mobile number which can then be downloaded and carried along on their travel back home.

Also, all the travelling members have to compulsorily undergo 14-day quarantine on arrival, as per the Health Department protocol.

It has been informed that only limited number of vehicles will be allowed to enter Sikkim every day and to regulate the movement the priority will be given to medical patients.

People desiring to travel on their own vehicle are requested to wait for the approval after they apply for the permission through the above given link, it is added.

It may also be noted that all the travelling passengers should be registered at registration.covid19sikkim.org.

It has been mentioned that all those who will be travelling by own vehicle should reach their respective check-posts between 10 am to 1 pm every day.

Those belonging to South and West District should head towards Melli check post and those from North and East district towards Rangpo check post.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]