The Sikkim government on Wednesday imposed a blanket ban against bursting any type of firecrackers in the state so as to safeguard the health of Covid-19 patients and those who have recovered from the infection.

A notification signed by state chief secretary S.C. Gupta in Gangtok noted that the number of Covid-19 cases has been on the decline in the state of late and it was felt the use of firecrackers would increase air pollution that could prove hazardous for Covid patients.

“There shall be a complete ban on the bursting of firecrackers in the state till further orders,” the notification read.

Bengal had earlier this week issued an advisory against the use of firecrackers during the ensuing Kali Puja and Diwali festivities in view of the pandemic.