4,500 new cases of covid in Reunion Island a record. The fourth wave of coronavirus has just reached a level never reached before in Reunion Island. There have never been so many cases of covid on our island in one week. Mortality is also on the rise. The festive season will be very, very sad on the island.
The announcements made by Prefect, Jacques Billant on Friday 17th December came into force on Monday 21st December and will remain in force until 9th January. These measures are considered to reduce the spread of the virus during the holiday season by limiting local interactions, given that the incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants is 482 cases.
No lockdowns or curfews but a series of bans, especially on gatherings for New Year’s Eve.
No gatherings or fireworks
Gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited. So any gathering on beaches, back beaches, public spaces as well as picnics are forbidden, especially on 24th and 31st December. The consumption of alcohol as well as the sales on the public highway is forbidden. Bivouacking is forbidden, but camping is allowed.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties must therefore be organised at home, at friends’ homes or in open establishments such as cultural venues, hotels, bars and restaurants in compliance with the rules in force and the health protocols, which are limited, given that festive gatherings are the source of many clusters. The transport of sound equipment remains prohibited, as does the hosting of parties (DJs) and the activity of home catering. And above all, fireworks are prohibited on 31st December.
Seated consumption only
The prefect also prohibits the consumption of food and drink standing up during public events such as festivals, Christmas markets, fairs, flea markets, sales, sports and cultural events. But also whether it is in an establishment receiving the public, with or without sanitary facilities. Consumption must be done seated only. Buffets can therefore be maintained, with seated consumption and the wearing of a mask during all movements.
No dancing and 4m2 distance
Except for dance classes and professional activities, it will be forbidden to dance in all establishments open to the public, that is, bars, restaurants, floating establishments, hotel restaurants, village halls, auditoriums, multi-purpose rooms, etc.
The prefect is introducing a 4m2 per person limit for all events on the public highway and is requesting that restrictions be maintained on transport. In addition, given that many clusters are identified in the workplace, the recommendation of 3 days teleworking per week remains unchanged, as does the maintenance of videoconference meetings. Social gatherings of employees in the workplace should be suspended. End-of-year cocktail parties should be avoided.
Airport and travel
Only people with proof of a complete vaccination schedule or a compelling reason to travel are allowed to board a plane to or from Reunion Island. They will have to provide proof of tests of less than 24 hours before boarding for non-vaccinated travellers, under 72 hours before boarding for vaccinated travellers presenting an RT-PCR test, under 48 hours before boarding for vaccinated travellers presenting an antigenic test.
Access to the terminal is limited to passengers with a ticket, airport staff, airline customers, accompanying persons for isolated minors, handicapped persons or persons requiring accompaniment, limited to 1 accompanying person per passenger.
