<p>Sikkim will be placed under lockdown from 6 am on Wednesday till March 31 to check the spread of coronavirus, a senior official announced.</p>.<p>Jacob Khaling Rai, the political secretary to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, said in a video message that the decision was taken in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>Sikkim has not reported any positive case of coronavirus, which has infected nearly 500 people in the country.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-tibetan-refugee-dies-in-himachal-pradesh-indias-death-toll-rises-to-9-799686.html"><strong>For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>During this week-long lockdown, all shops and business establishments will remain shut throughout the state, he said.</p>.<p>Private vehicles and taxis will not be allowed to ply, Rai said.</p>.<p>Essential services such as pharmacies, petrol pumps, LPG supply and movement of government and Army vehicles have been kept out of the purview of the lockdown.</p>.<p>Other essential services such as telecom, internet, postal, banks and ATMs will remain operational during the period. Civil defense personnel will also be exempted.</p>
<p>Sikkim will be placed under lockdown from 6 am on Wednesday till March 31 to check the spread of coronavirus, a senior official announced.</p>.<p>Jacob Khaling Rai, the political secretary to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, said in a video message that the decision was taken in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>Sikkim has not reported any positive case of coronavirus, which has infected nearly 500 people in the country.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-tibetan-refugee-dies-in-himachal-pradesh-indias-death-toll-rises-to-9-799686.html"><strong>For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>During this week-long lockdown, all shops and business establishments will remain shut throughout the state, he said.</p>.<p>Private vehicles and taxis will not be allowed to ply, Rai said.</p>.<p>Essential services such as pharmacies, petrol pumps, LPG supply and movement of government and Army vehicles have been kept out of the purview of the lockdown.</p>.<p>Other essential services such as telecom, internet, postal, banks and ATMs will remain operational during the period. Civil defense personnel will also be exempted.</p>