Shopping as per alphabetical order extended to other businesses and services

According to him, shopping
according to alphabetical order of surnames implemented during the confinement
period to allow people stock up on food supplies has proved very effective.  The opening of supermarkets during the confinement
has been very systematic, he stressed.
The Minister also lauded Mauritians for having shown discipline in that regard,
and reaffirmed that each citizen has the duty to protect themselves.

Speaking about the
availability of stocks of food supplies available in Mauritius during the
curfew, Mr Sawmynaden observed that there was no reason to give in to panic buying.
“It was necessary at the beginning of the spread of COVID-19 in Mauritius to
temporarily ban the opening of supermarkets for health and sanitary reasons,” he
said.

As regards transgressions
committed during the curfew, the Minister indicated that to date, 2 599 fines
have been issued. There will be more stringent laws and sanctions under the
COVID-19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will be introduced in the
National Assembly on 13 May 2020, to ensure that the rights of consumers are protected,
he pointed out.  In addition, in specific
cases, the operation permits of some trades will be suspended, he said.

The Minister also recalled
that under the COVID-19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, the public will not
have to pay surcharges on their Central Electricity Board and Central Water
Authority bills. The cash offices of these two organisations will also operate
according to the alphabetical order system.

Regarding the activities of
certain trades that will be authorised to operate as from 15 May 2020, the Minister
clarified that the opening of bakeries, butcher shops, poultry stores, hardware
stores and hairdressing salons, will be done under strict and defined
conditions. Therefore, these businesses will have to abide by the rules of social
distancing and employees will have to wear a mask and gloves.

Moreover, access will be
limited inside bakeries and consumers will be served by an employee. As for
restaurants and fast food outlets, drive-throughs or home deliveries services will
be allowed.

As for hairdressing salons,
these will operate only by appointment. Several sanitary precautions will have
to be respected: compulsory wearing of masks and gloves; seats and all
equipment will have to be systematically disinfected; each client must come unaccompanied;
and magazines available to customers should be removed.

Members of the Police Force and
Officers of his Ministry will carry our inspections to ensure that these
businesses abide by the health protocols recommended by the authorities, the
Minister said. Government, he emphasised, is monitoring the current situation
closely and will take adequate decisions with regards to the gradual reopening
of other businesses in the future.

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​​