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Details
about the Bill were provided, yesterday, by the Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry
and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, during a national television programme
focusing on the phase plan about the partial reopening of the economy as from 15
May 2020.
The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning
and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, the Minister of Tourism, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr
Kailesh Jagutpal, and the spokesperson of the National Communication Committee
on Covid-19, Dr Zouberr Joomaye, were also present.
The Attorney General underlined that
the Covid-19 Bill will make provision for, amongst others, the mandatory wearing
of masks in public places. Persons not respecting social distancing will be
subject to fines and penalties, he added. With regard to the return to work in
phases, Mr Gobin emphasised that only persons in possession of a Work Access
Permit (WAP) will be allowed to move.
The
WAP system is being digitalised, he said, to ensure that all persons including
public officers, carers, baby-sitters, planters, fishermen and the
self-employed resuming work as from 15 May are in possession of the proper
authorisation. As
for the education sector, he added, resumption of classes for the Pre-Primary,
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary will be implemented phase-wise as from 01
August 2020.
With regard to senior citizens, the
Attorney General pointed out that they are most vulnerable to Covid-19 adding
that they will be able to go out only in exceptional cases, in particular to
stock up on supplies, or if they hold travel permits. Distribution of the
monthly old age pension at home and medical visits by Social Security doctors
will be continued. Special desks in
banks will also be set up for the elderly and they will be able to access
public transport only on an alphabetical basis and outside peak hours.
Gradual return to normalcy ofhealth
care services
Dr Jagutpal, for his part, stated that
all other health care services and regular treatment of patients will gradually
return to normalcy as from 15 May. He pointed out that an appointment system
will be implemented for people seeking medical care so as to avoid overcrowding
in hospitals.
As for other sanitary measures, he
emphasised that all Mauritians should continue to practice good hygiene habits
such as washing their hands regularly with soap or hydro-alcoholic gel; wearing
masks in public places and respecting the rules of social distancing. Mass testing for Covid-19 and sensitisation
campaigns will be further encouraged to contain all risks of infection, he
added.
Financial support
Minister Padayachy outlined the various
measures implemented by the Bank of Mauritius and the Government to minimise
layoffs across various sectors and support vulnerable families. These are the Wage
Assistant Scheme paid to 12 000 enterprises affecting 250 000 employees;
Self-Employed Assistance Scheme; and moratorium on capital and interest on
housing loans. A recovery plan, he said, is in preparation to curb the negative
impacts of Covid-19 on the Mauritian economy adding that other support schemes
will be maintained following the extension of the curfew.
Other important measures are as
follows:
- Gyms, restaurants, shops and
markets, casinos and clubs as well as commercial centres will remain
closed. Access to public beach and holding of socio-cultural activities at
large scale are strictly prohibited - Opening hours of supermarkets is
being extended to 20 00 hrs - Banks, bakeries and butcheries
will operate in alphabetical order whereas restaurants and fast-food
outlets will do so through take away, delivery services and drive-thru - All public buses and vehicles
should be disinfected and a marking system will be applied to respect
social distancing and same applies for the Metro which will operate with a
limited number of passengers
- A taxi will be allowed to carry only
three passengers at a time - Motorcyclists will not be allowed
to carry other passengers except close family members
#ResOuLakaz #BeSafeMoris
Government Information Service, Prime
Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius.
Email: gis@govmu.org Website: http://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
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