The state of emergency persists and even hardens in our sister island as announced this Thursday 29 July and this reminds us of our state in Mauritius during the general lockdown. The curfew has been extended from 11pm to 6pm and will take effect from 31 July until Monday 16 August. Movements will be limited to 10 kilometres from the place of residence with a justified motive.
Alarming increase
This would be the worst holiday season for our friends in Reunion… They are in a state of emergency due to the pandemic. Their number of cases has reached 2616 in one week and the incidence rate is 306.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. They have more than 3000 active cases at the moment. 41 patients are in intensive care and over 80 people are being treated in hospitals.
A series of restrictions
“Everyone must act responsibly at work and in their personal lives. Because responsibility is the corollary of freedom“… This nocturnal lockdown, from 6pm to 5am, announced by the prefect Jacques Billant on Thursday 27, will be in effect for a fortnight. The distance of movement is limited to 10 kilometres around the home from Monday to Saturday and 5 kilometres on Sundays. To move beyond this limitation, it will be only on presentation of imperative family reasons, for professional reasons or to be vaccinated or for medical reasons.
Large shops and establishments open to mass will be closed, i.e., bars, sports halls, indoor sports facilities, restaurants will be allowed to continue selling take-away food. Some restaurants that already had reservations for this period will be able to welcome people but in reduced numbers and under barriers. And exceptionally, weddings and other events scheduled for the weekend of 31 July and 01 August could be held in dedicated rooms but within the limited time of 18:00. Picnics are forbidden and gatherings in the public space are limited to 6 people, including in nature areas such as beaches, river banks, and kiosks among others.
To summarise, professional, administrative, school and other essential activities will remain operational but under strict control. Wearing a mask remains mandatory at all times and for everyone.
