Sikkim has called a lockdown from Monday for a week amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the third state in the north-east, after Mizoram and Nagaland, to impose a lockdown.
The lockdown in Sikkim will come into force at 5 am on Monday and will end at 5 am on May 24.
The Sikkim government said it decided to impose the lockdown "in view of the fact that the average positivity rate for COVID-19 cases in the state has continued to be more than 20 per cent in the last few weeks."
"There is an urgent need to impose stricter restrictions on movement of people within the state," the state government said in a notification.
"All state government offices, shops including ration shops, private commercial establishments, institutions, gymnasiums, markets and factories, other than those engaged in production of medicines, medical equipment, oxygen and allied sectors shall remain closed," the notification said.
Central government offices will be allowed to function under pandemic safety guidelines of the Union government.
Movement of vehicles, and any public activity and gathering are banned during the lockdown.
However, movement of vehicles and people engaged in essential services are allowed if they show documents to prove they are linked to essential services.
Sikkim University Allows One-Day Menstrual Leave Every Month For Students US Lawmakers Back Covid Chinese Lab Leak Theory After Two-Year Probe 97 Government Schools To Be Shut Down In Sikkim Due To Low Student Numbers Video: Rahul Gandhi Approaches BJP MP Who Fell During Protest, This Happens Pakistan Tries To Arm-Twist China Over Gwadar Port. The Plan Backfires. People Seeking Justice For Atul Subhash Chase Rahul Gandhi. He Does This Delhi Restaurant Worker Fights With Colleague, Kills Him With Dumbbell Pakistan Tries To Arm-Twist China Over Gwadar Port. The Plan Backfires. Brother Missing After Mumbai Boat Tragedy, Man Makes Rounds Of Hospitals Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.