Africa-Press – Mauritius. There will be an increase in the number of weekly commercial flights reaching Mauritius as from 01 October due to the reopening of borders. The number of flights on a weekly basis will increase from the actual 15 to reach around 60.
The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo, made this statement, this afternoon, at a press briefing of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
DPM Obeegadoo highlighted that there is no choice but to reopen our borders in order to allow the tourism sector to resume its activities. This sector, which has faced difficult times since March 2020 with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only concerns hotels but also planters, tour operators, pleasure craft operators, planters, technicians and restaurants, among others.
He stressed that some 100,000 families are dependent of the tourism sector and the reopening of borders will allow them to resume their economic activities.
As from 01 October 2021, those who are not vaccinated will have to present a negative PCR test effected before boarding the plane and will be quarantined for 14 days upon their arrival in Mauritius, he indicated.
PCR tests will be effected upon their arrival, on the 7th day, as well as on the 14th day so as to ensure that they can leave the quarantine centre. As for those already fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their arrival on the island, they will still have to produce a negative PCR test before boarding the plane.
Upon their arrival, they will be able to explore the island freely. On fifth day of their visit, they will have to do a Rapid antigen test. Since 15 July to 14 September 2021, some 9,367 passengers came to Mauritius, out of which only 45 patients have been tested COVID-19 positive at their arrival, he recalled.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Government’s priority remains to ensure the good health and wellness of the population. However, he remarked, there must be a balance between the good health of the population and economic activities so as to ensure the ongoing development of the country.
Furthermore, he recalled that prior to the reopening of borders, Government reassured that a minimum of 60% of the population would have to be fully vaccinated.
The numbers, according to him, are as follows: 62% of the population is fully vaccinated, while 67% have been inoculated with the first dose. As far as adults are concerned, 81% of the Republic of Mauritius is fully vaccinated, with 88% having received the first dose.
As far as Rodrigues is concerned, underscored DPM Obeegadoo, 42% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 53% have received a first dose. As such, the High-Level Committee, in consultation with relevant authorities, has decided that the reopening of borders for Rodrigues will take place as from 01 November 2021.
Speaking about the efficiency of the vaccination campaign, he indicated that in year 2020, 74% of patients tested positive to the COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic. However, in 2021, 91,6% of patients are asymptomatic with only 8,4% showing symptoms.
He added that, according to statistics, for 100 positive COVID-19 patients, only 8% must receive treatment but only 0,2% have chances of being in severe conditions.
Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister dwelt on statistics from the World Health Organisation concerning persons who passed away due to COVID-19. According to these statistics, for every 100 persons, the fatality rate has decreased from 3,03% in April 2020 to 0,34% to date.
This, he said, is because more persons are vaccinated and those infected by the coronavirus now receive better treatment. He also observed that for every 100,000 persons, Mauritius registered an average of 1,082 positive cases and four deaths, which are considerably less as compared to France, England, Canada, USA and Reunion Island, among others.
