Some of the Rodriguans, who were stranded in Mauritius due to the suspension of flights between the two islands in March, have testified of their stay in quarantine in Mauritius before flying to Rodrigues as a bad experience. The quarantine procedure was described as being a burden. It may have been the case of some of them, but not for all of them. A lady, who was in quarantine in a hotel in Mauritius from 8th to 23rd July, and who is now back in her homeland, shared her experience. « It was not that bad », she says before adding that she was mentally prepared to go through this period of confinement.
« Personally, I lived well my 14 days of quarantine. We had no other choice than to go through this period of confinement, in order to be able to return to Rodrigues. I was well prepared for this. My objective was to get back as soon as possible to be with my children. I turned the negative into my positive. I took it as if I was on holiday in a hotel. Besides, I needed some rest. I had video calls with my family and my faithful friends called me everyday. I watched two western films everyday. Well, when one makes good use of one’s time, it’s easier to forget that you are confined and then, you do not see the time passing. We have been confined for a good cause », she says. Nevertheless, she admits that she has been anxious from time to time, a feeling which would take her by surprise. According to her, these bouts of anxiety came as a result of the five months where she found herself stranded in Mauritius, when her stay was originally her stay for two weeks only. « Five long months where all of us had to fight in order to get back. Five long months where we had no money left. None of us knew what would happen to us. Many of us have had a bad time during this confinement. The hotel where they were staying was not appropriate for them to spend 14 days on their own.
There were patients who had undergone serious surgical operations. Others had lost their relatives while they were in quarantine », she explains. According to her, this experience can be positive or negative, depending on one’s mental and psychological strength. « But I can say that for all those who were stranded in Mauritius, entering quarantine was a phew of relief, as it was where we felt secure, away from contamination from ‘COVID-19’. It may sound funny but we were really looking forward to be in quarantine », she added. However, they still had a lump in the stomach while waiting for the results of the three ‘PCR’ tests which had to be effected before flying back to Rodrigues. And now that they are back home, it seems that it was all a bad dream. When asked if she intends to travel to Mauritius again, « I am not going anytime soon unless I really have to », was the reply.
