Republic of Mauritius- New Bills constitute modern and appropriate legal framework for Mauritius to deal with future pandemic

The two Bills, introduced in
the National Assembly by the Prime Minister, constitute an important component
of the legislative response of the Government in its efforts not only to
contain the spread of the COVID-19 but also to better prepare our country to
face, and recover from, a COVID-like situation in the future, he emphasised.

Speaking about the COVID-19
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, he stated that it has as objective to amend a
number of enactments to cater for the impact of Covid-19 in various sectors,
mitigate the hardship on the population and facilitate recovery.  The Bill is proposing to amend 56 enactments
including the Bank of Mauritius Act, the Central Electricity Board Act and the
Central Water Authority Act, the Civil Status Act, the Companies Act, the
Consumer Protection (Price and Supplies Control) Act, the Courts Act, the
Criminal Code, the Customs Act, the Education Act, the Employment Relations
Act, the Finance and Audit Act, the Immigration Act, the Income Tax Act, the
Police Act, the Public Debt Management Act, and the Public Health Act.

As regards the Quarantine
Bill, the Prime Minister stated that quarantine is an important aspect of
control of the outbreak of infectious diseases. Besides, following the outbreak
of the COVID-19, the World Health Organization recommended the implementation
of quarantine as part of a comprehensive package of public health response and
containment measures, he added.

The Government accordingly
implemented quarantine measures very rapidly and this has contributed
significantly to contain the spread of the disease in Mauritius. However, the
existing Quarantine Act dates as far back as 1954, he observed. There is
therefore a need for a modern and more effective quarantine legislation which
will enhance the level of preparedness and response of our health authorities
to communicable diseases and pandemics such as the COVID-19, Mr Jugnauth
highlighted.

The Quarantine Bill, he
pointed out, is respectful of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by
the Constitution and is also in line with International Health Regulations
2005.

According to the Prime
Minister, the Bills introduced illustrate the pragmatism and foresight of the
Government, and together they aim at ensuring that, while disappearing from our
Republic, COVID-19 neither returns and causes more damages, nor lingers on
while disappearing and thus delaying our gradual but sure return to normalcy.

#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​