The Sikkim government has suspended issuing Inner Line Permits (ILP) to foreign nationals to prevent any incidences of deadly coronavirus in the state.
The state home department issued a notification on Thursday for the purpose.
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“In view of rapid spread of coronavirus, no ILP may be issued to foreign nationals, including those from Bhutan, with effect from today,” said the notification.
It further said that the state tourism and civil aviation department would not issue any permit for travel to the East Sikkim district mountain pass Nathula “with immediate effect”.
It is mandatory for foreign nationals desiring to visit the Himalayan state to procure an ILP.
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On Wednesday, the decision was taken to suspend the ILP at a high level meeting to review and discuss preparedness and action plan for any possible coronavirus outbreak in the state following reports of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in some parts of the country.
“The meeting has decided to suspend all ILPs issued to visit Sikkim until further notice. The concerned department has been directed to network the information to all stakeholder organisations and offices,” an official statement said.