Gradual re-opening of businesses after Mauritius marks 14 days without new cases

The spokesperson of
the National Communication Committee on Covid-19, Dr Zouberr Joomaye, also
stated, this evening, during a press briefing at the Treasury Building in Port
Louis, that as part of Government’s strategy for the partial re-opening of the
economy, five Covid-19 testing centres will be set up at each of the five
regional hospitals across the country. These centres will screen patients
presenting with Covid-19 symptoms. 

Work Access Permit (WAP) application 

Government in
collaboration with Mauritius Telecom has developed a new web link for the
online application of Work Access Permits on beSafeMoris website to enable those who need to circulate as from 15 May 2020 to apply online
for a WAP. Applicants will eventually receive their WAPs through emails. 

The online
application for private sector organisations is operational since Friday 08 May
2020. Applications for the public sector organisations as well as for
individuals and self-employed persons will open on 11 May
2020 at 11 am, stated Dr Joomaye. 

He also pointed out
that 34
CAB Offices will assist individuals and self-employed persons who do not have
internet facilities, to apply online for the WAP. CAB Offices will be operational as from 11 May 2020 from 9 am to 15 pm. Applicants
will need to bring all necessary documents and follow the alphabetical order as
applicable for shopping in supermarkets. According to Dr Joomaye, as at date,
more than 10 000 WAP have already been delivered. 

Latest figures on Covid-19 

Speaking about the
situation of Covid-19 in Mauritius, Dr Joomaye stated that the number of
positive cases stands at 332, with 10 deaths and two active cases. A total of
320 patients have already recovered. Furthermore, 326 people are under
quarantine, namely 249 passengers and 77 medical staff. As regards testing, the
spokesperson underlined that a total of 69 983 tests, comprising 23 311 PCR
tests and 46 672 Rapid Antigen tests, have already been carried out. 

As regards the repatriation
of stranded Mauritians abroad, Dr Joomaye said that three flights from Paris,
South Africa and New Delhi have already ferried the citizens to Mauritius. The
149 passengers on board the flight from India had already undergone PCR testing
in India itself and have been placed under quarantine at Ambre Hotel and Hotel
Recif Attitude, he added. Two more flights will soon be scheduled and will
bring Mauritian nationals home by order of priority, indicated Dr Joomaye. 

Ease lockdown while reinforcing sanitary measures 

Also present at the
press briefing, the Minister of Tourism, Mr Georges Pierre
Lesjongard, underlined that the Government along with the concerted efforts of
various stakeholders, have worked on an elaborated plan for the gradual re-opening
of certain activities taking into consideration basic sanitary measures. 

He further stated
that the wearing of masks, respect of social distancing and other basic
protective measures are imperative in public places. Concerning activities
which will start as from next week, he emphasised the need to continue to
follow all the rules and regulations and maintain discipline so as to contain
risks of contamination. Gatherings, events and overcrowding should be avoided
at all costs, he added. 

With respect to
senior citizens, the Minister pointed out that since they are the most
vulnerable to Covid-19, they should go out only in exceptional cases, in
particular to stock up on supplies, or if they hold Work Access Permits. The
elderly, he indicated, will be able to access public transport only on an
alphabetical basis and outside peak hours. 

Other important
points are as follows: 

• Access
  to supermarkets, banks, bakeries and butchery will continue to be given in
  alphabetical order. The opening hours of supermarkets have been extended
  to 20hrs from
  Monday to Saturday

• Restaurants
  and fast-food outlets will be allowed to operate through take away,
  delivery services and Drive thru.
• All
  public buses and vehicles should be disinfected
• A
  marking system will be applied in public buses and Metro and they will operate
  with a limited number of passengers
• Only
  three passengers should be allowed to travel at the same time in taxis
• Motorcyclists
  will not be allowed to carry any passenger except for close family members 

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​