The intervention of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Steven Obeegadoo, on CNN on Saturday, is still generating reactions on the resumption of tourism activities. We are talking about the new regulations that will be applied from Friday 23 July to hotels, guest houses, estates, tourist residences (villas, apartments, and bungalows) for local tourism in Mauritius.
For Ajay Jhurry, professional of the sector and former director of the Association of Tourists Operators (ATO), the planning of the reopening of hotels and other tourist residences should have been done gradually. Taking into consideration that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism has argued on CNN that Mauritius is almost ‘Covid 19 safe’ and that more than 50% of the population has been vaccinated, Ajay Jhurry wonders why out of the 115 hotels listed only 14 are allowed to operate. “The same applies to the many small hotels. Only two are allowed to operate. And with the opening of the other establishments from July 23, tourists or Mauritians who want to come to Mauritius will have to make their reservations in one of the 14 hotels. It is only after the quarantine that they will be able to go to the establishments that will open on July 2″ he concedes.
According to him, the authorities should have gradually allowed the other operators to operate, increasing the number week by week. Opening all the establishments at once, without proper planning, might not have the expected results,” he says.
As a reminder, the authorities have put in place a new protocol to hotels, guest houses, estates, tourist residences (villas, apartments, and bungalows) to accommodate local tourism in Mauritius. As only staff vaccinated with at least one dose of an anti-covid vaccine will be deployed in the establishment. The manager of the establishment or a staff member delegated by him/her must be designated as the health referent of the establishment and will be responsible for the good respect of this protocol. In addition, staff must always adhere to the barrier procedures. In addition, staff, especially those in close and unprotected contact with customers, such as waiters at the bar, restaurant, or beach, must pay close attention to the strict observance of barrier procedures. Only surgical masks will be allowed.
It is also important to know that night clubs and nightclubs are forbidden, as well as outdoor events with more than fifty people.
