Expectations were high for this 30th March. It was supposed to symbolise the real easing of health restrictions in Mauritius. But the barrier measures remain unchanged. The High-Level Committee considers that we are still under the threat of Covid 19 and fears of a new variant, such as BA.2. The National Communications Committee facilitators, on this 30th March press briefing, have made it clear that Mauritius should not take one step forward and two steps back, by citing the reality in countries that have been overzealous in allowing life to move closer to pre-Covid normality too quickly.
There will be no concessions, mask wearing, physical distancing, ventilation in confined spaces and hand disinfection will remain.
Major eases of restrictions
The relaxations come into effect on 31st March along with the continuation of various health restrictions until 30th June. Following the conclusions of the High Level Committee, places of worship will now be able to accommodate 50 people at a time as well as socio-cultural events and other gatherings, such as weddings and funerals. What is also changing is the holding of civil weddings outside of the registry office. The registrar officer is entitled to hold the ceremony in a hall or other venue for up to 50 people. Sports centers and sports halls may be open to 50 people, but only if the space can be calculated at 4m2 per person. Outdoor group sports are allowed and kindergartens are now allowed to reopen as kindergartens. Dr. Zouberr Joomaye, the Chairman of the Vaccination Committee, has made it clear that the relaxations have been gradually introduced. Dr Jagutpal said that “We have started with no PCR test on departure for the traveller to Mauritius and zero quarantine imposed if the traveller proves his three doses and is PCR negative upon arrival. The sanitary rules in Rodrigues for incoming and outgoing passengers have been aligned with those in Mauritius.”
Prohibitions maintained
The other bans already in force will remain as bans until 30th June and Minister Kailesh Jagutpal said “by the end of June, we will decide on further steps“. Bars and discotheques will remain closed, concerts banned, community centres, party halls, the CAB, horse racing on camera, picnics banned… Dr Zouber Joomye explained that “we do not want to relive a situation of the past or do as other countries that have lifted health restrictions too quickly and are already considering the re-implementation of certain restrictions with the rise of rapid cases. For the past week, France has had about 125,000 new cases and England about 130,000.” He also added “We must not let our guard down, putting our health system under great pressure. We must not remove all barriers at once. Vulnerable people will be more likely to fall ill with the onset of winter, and with the discovery of the new variants, the High Level Committee cannot be complacent about being safe.”
Exigencies enforcement
Notice to the public –
As of 4th April, the requirements have been tightened. Fully Vaccinated status is changing and a booster dose is required to maintain this status. Those, whose second dose was administered less than six months ago, are safe. The Minister of Health, assisted by Dr Zouberr Joomaye, stressed the importance of the third dose and its major role in the fight against the Delta variant and the overall decrease in positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Notice to employees –
The list of places where staffs are not allowed to go without a booster dose within 6 months of the second dose has been extended. From 4th April, they will not have access to “Multipurpose Halls, Tourists Residence, estates, Civil Status Office, Registrar General Department, Wastewater Management Authority, Registrar of Companies, District Councils and Municipalities, National Land Transport Authority, Post Offices, Social Security Offices and National Empowerment Foundation“, announced Dr Kailesh Jagutpal. Regarding unvaccinated staffs who stand open for a weekly PCR test to gain access to their workplaces, the Minister warned that “the person will be denied access whenever they test positive“.
Vaccination- Booster dose campaign motivated
While both presenters congratulated Mauritius for being the first African country to reach 90% of the population vaccinated and the country where Covid 19 is declining, the point was also made that a large part of the eligible population is not ready for vaccination and that more than 200,000 people eligible for the booster dose have not yet done so. Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal appealed to the concerned to get vaccinated, “even though we are exposed to the more contagious but less fatal Omicron variant, most of the serious cases are either people with co-morbidities or the unvaccinated“. Speaking about the Vaccination, Dr. Joomaye, Chairman of the Vaccination Committee, said that the government is doubling down on the Booster dose campaign with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Regarding the infant vaccine, “the Vaccination Committee has already approved the Pfizer paediatric dose for the 5-11-year age group. We are waiting for the shipment.”
Covid to date
So far 66 new positive cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Mauritius and 18 in Rodrigues out of 200 PCR tests performed. Our regional hospitals are reporting 24 admissions to the Covid Wards.
The progress of the vaccination is 1,004,794 Mauritians for the first dose and 32,165 Rodriguans, i.e. 72.74%, 970, 109 persons for the second dose in Mauritius and 31,602 in Rodrigues, i.e. 71.74% and 592, 533 for the third/booster dose in Mauritius and 12,387 in Rodrigues.
Dr Jagutpal: “I am very happy with the Audit report”
Dr Kailesh Jagutpal is in ‘confession’ mode. Despite the fact that his ministry has been singled out with several actions to be taken against several departments of the said ministry, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal says he is “agreeing and very happy with the audit report on the Ministry of Health“. He defended the points on the ‘Staffs’ and the cost of quarantine in hotels. “We were faced with a choice between preserving the health of Mauritians and administrative matters. We had neither the human resources to deal with the crisis at that time nor the computer tools to manage it. We had to put in place a whole structure and logistics for the management of the quarantine where we were recording 400 to 500 cases per day. We succeeded at some levels and failed at others.” Earlier in the day, he also made a statement on the overstocking of vaccines at a cost of Rs16.5 million. During a visit to the new audiology department of Mediclinic in Floréal, he said: “We take full responsibility for the losses incurred on the overstock of vaccines. There are some factors that we cannot control at 100%”. He attributed these management failures by his department to the sensitive pandemic situation where it was a matter of priority.
