“The government is managing the sanitary situation with seriousness”, are the words used by Joe Lesjongard commenting on the actual health situation in the country.” “Since 2020, health-care workers have been operating under stressful conditions. There are flaws indeed, but we must understand these individuals because they are, after all, human beings. We condemn people who show contempt for medical workers” expressed the President of the MSM at a press conference held at the Sun Trust building on Saturday 27th November.
Firmly expressing himself, he categorically condemns the distribution of ‘false news’ by some opposition MPs. He said that the aid requested from friendly countries was done in anticipation of the country’s future needs, making specific reference to the urgent request to Reunion for oxygen and doctors from India.
Joe Lesjongard attributed the health situation to the presence of the Delta variant but also to the 3 public holidays of the first week of November. “Many Mauritians went to the beach without respecting the barrier measures,” he said.
He also commented on The Independent Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, which is subject of much discussion in the National Assembly. “The democratic arena has evolved”, he stated while explaining why these changes are being made about radios. Still commenting on the matter, he stated “We assure you that these modifications will not stifle freedom of expression. We are authentic democratic socialists. Those who aren’t should refrain from pointing their fingers at us. ” He went on to say that he wanted the arguments in Parliament to continue while the votes were being processed.
Also present during the press conference, the Minister of National Infrastructures, Bobby Hurreeram has stated that “flexitime” will be implemented within the Public Service next week in order to reduce crowding and ensure that physical distance is maintained in buses. “Civil servants will be divided into two groups to work. The first group will start at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 2:30 p.m., while the second group will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m “, he stated before adding that “the buses will be disinfected twice in the next fortnight at a cost of Rs 15 million. ”
Coming to The Minister of Financial Services, Mahen Seeruttun, he stated that the Criminal Code Bill was voted and passed to recognize the Chagos Archipelago as a Mauritius territory. “It’s important to remember that some in the Opposition were sceptical of the Chagos’ cause. Some even predicted that the country would not have ten votes in the United Nations General Assembly”, he stated.
