Republic of Mauritius- Tourism has been the worst affected of all major economic sectors says Tourism Minister

This
statement was made today in the National Assembly by the Minister of Tourism,
Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, during his intervention on the introduction of
the Covid-19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Quarantine Bill.

Minister
Lesjongard underpinned that the two proposed Bills will allow Government to
restart the economy which is currently at a standstill. He stated that no Government
worldwide was prepared for such a disaster.

He
recalled that Government had already come forward with its Programme earlier
this year and it was never its intention to change any laws but the country
being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and with thousands of people risking losing
their jobs in the coming days, weeks or months, these measures are deemed
necessary.

Mr
Lesjongard pointed out that some want to make people believe that this was
planned and Government strongly reject the premeditation argument. We have an
obligation to do what we do to save lives and save jobs, he highlighted.

As for
the Quarantine Bill, underscored
the Minister of Tourism, it is a law that goes back a long time, therefore it has
to be changed and adapted to modern times although the amendments toughen the
penalties but it is being done to protect the population.

He also
dwelt on the Work From Home Act with reference to clause 17 (A) and underlined
that the proposed clause is not new while stressing that 48 hours is a sufficient
for notification.

Minister
Lesjongard underpinned that it is very important that necessary measures be
brought forward to ensure the safety and well-being of each citizen as well as
that of tourists who will be coming into the country in the future. The welfare
of the country is and will remain the main priority of the Government thus it
is a nonsense to say that Government has a hidden agenda, he added.