Conditions imposed on the entry of all persons, including tourists, to Sikkim by the state government at the eleventh hour created chaos at the border points, particularly at Rangpo in east Sikkim, on Monday as they had to wait for long hours at the check-posts to undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for Covid-19.

The Sikkim government had on Sunday made it mandatory for all persons, including those who took both doses of Covid vaccines, to produce negative RTPCR reports conducted within 72 hours prior to the date of entry from Monday onwards. Else, they have to undergo RAT at their points of entry, including Pakyong Airport.

Tourists entering Sikkim from the Rangpo check-post on Monday said they got to know about the new restrictions on Sunday night when they were well on their way to the state.
“I am from Chennai and we are three of us. We got to know about the new condition for the entry while on the train last night. We have already a travel card issued by Sikkim Tourism a week back that states those with double vaccination will be allowed entry,” said a tourist while waiting in a queue with his family to undergo RAT.

Another tourist from Calcutta said he got know about the new notification at 9.30pm on Sunday and he had no time to do RTPCR test. “I don’t have (negative RTPCR report) since there was no such guideline. I have taken RAT just now, let’s see what happens,” said the MBA student who plans to spend two or three days in Sikkim before flying out of Pakyong airport.

Tourism stakeholders in the state have said sudden and frequent changes in the rules that have a direct bearing on tourism are causing problems for all, especially visitors. They urged the government to take them on board before announcing new guidelines.

“Abrupt and drastic changes every other day is creating a hurdle to the smooth conduct of tourism-related activities in the state,” said Roshan Rai, a member of the United Silk Route Tourism Development Association.

Apart from making negative RTPCR report mandatory at the eleventh hour, the association said, the government’s decision to implement odd and even formula for the movement of both four and two-wheelers within the state was not well thought out either before being implemented. “Numerous tourists have given negative feedback on such abrupt changes in the rules governing the entry of tourists,” it said.

The association also said the ban on the manufacture, sale and use of water bottles of two litres and less without making alternative arrangements for tourists to access safe drinking water at public places was also causing problems. “This is the most common complaint (of the tourists) these days,” said Rai.

Covid death
Sikkim reported first Covid-19 death on Monday after a gap of a little over a fortnight, taking the toll since the start of the pandemic to 407. The state also logged 112 new infections, which is a jump of 42 from Sunday’s 70 cases.