Citizens called upon to respect national containment protocol

GIS – 20 March 2020: The population of the Republic of Mauritius has been exhorted to respect the national containment protocol rolled out since this morning, at 6 am local time, in the wake of the outbreak of the Covid-19 in the country with 12 cases registered to-date. Citizens have been called upon to fully collaborate to fight the propagation of the virus across the Mauritian territory.

The current situation prevailing in Mauritius and the implementation of all measures, were the focus, this evening, of a press briefing, in Port Louis, by the spokesperson of the National Communication Committee on the Covid-19, Dr Zouberr Joomaye, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Mauritius Police Force.

The National Communication Committee on the Covid-19, chaired by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, aims at providing daily updates as well as implementing the transparency policy of Government with regard to the evolution of the Covid-19 across the Republic.

Following new cases of Covid-19, an essential measure, that is the national containment protocol of 14 days, has been applied with the objective to protect citizens and slow the spread of the virus, said Dr Joomaye. This means that citizens have to remain at home given the highly contagious nature of the virus through human contact, he stated.

The Committee’s spokesperson also emphasised that Rodrigues Island is also concerned by the national containment protocol and that flights will not be allowed as from 20 hours this Sunday between Mauritius and Rodrigues.

 Moreover, he recalled that that only some essential services will be allowed to operate. These are: the Police Force, Fire and Rescue Services, hospital/health centres/clinics, pharmacies, food supply chains, gas filling stations, and banks. A certain number of economic activities will also be allowed to operate as these are indispensable for Mauritius, he stated. The list will be communicated, he added.

Markets and livestock services will operate normally and as regards public transport a minimum service will be offered. Buses will be on roads as from 7 am to 7 pm at a reduced frequency and the Metro Express will operate as from 6 am to 6 pm.

In addition, the National Communication Committee has recommended that citizens use the hotlines 8924 between 09 00 hours to 16 00 hours, and, 8925 to 8929, after 16 00 hours, if ever they think that they are suffering from the symptoms related to the Covid-19, and therefore avoid going to public hospitals and dispensaries.

The Committee further recalled that till now 667 persons are quarantined and a contact tracing is still underway to retrace people who have been in contact with those tested positive to the Covid-19.