Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Consolidated Regulation is in force as from today and it regroups all the seven regulations already in place concerning COVID-19. These make provisions for the mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing; entering some institutions such as schools and hospitals; allowing some businesses to operate under certain conditions; self-confinement; the quarantine period and the place it should be effected; and the use of the self-testing kit.
This announcement was made, this afternoon, by the Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, at a press briefing of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, in Port Louis. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, was also present.
Minister Gobin highlighted that the Consolidated Regulation has been elaborated in a bid to avoid any possible confusion among the general public, as well as Officers working in public and private institutions, and stressed that the law is not being amended.
He however conceded that there will be some small changes regarding places and activities where relevant authorities will be more flexible on the wearing of masks. This list of places and activities will soon be published in the Government gazette by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, he added.
Moreover, he underscored that the Consolidated Regulation also elaborates on those aged below 18 years old, as regards the ongoing vaccination campaign; the adapted consent form for those receiving a third dose of vaccine; the list of the 22 categories of institutions where access is still prohibited to those not yet inoculated; as well as those who are exempted from being vaccinated.
Information will also be available on protocols concerning passengers arriving in Mauritius and on resellers of self-testing kits, he stated. These self-testing kits will, as from today, be sold at duty-free shops at the airport in Mauritius and Rodrigues, as well as at the harbour duty-free shop so as to make self-testing kits more accessible to those entering the country.
He reassured the population that, with the full reopening of borders, all precautions and legislations are being maintained so as to keep everyone safe.
He also cautioned that those not abiding by regulations in force will still be fined and prosecuted by relevant authorities. For his part, Minister Jagutpal gave an overview of the COVID-19 situation for the previous week.
He observed that since last Friday, 702 positive COVID-19 cases were detected following PCR tests, and most of the patients tested positive are aged between 20 and 59 years old.
There are 35 patients in treatment centres, out of which six are under ventilation and 18 are receiving oxygen. Since 25 September to date, 12 deaths were registered, and all of the patients had comorbidities. Only one patient was vaccinated, stated Dr Jagutpal.
Speaking about the vaccination campaign, he underlined that to date, more than 68% of the population in general have received a first dose of vaccine (91% of adult population), while 63% of the population is fully vaccinated (more than 85% of adult population).
He pointed out that some 8,063 have already been inoculated with a first dose of vaccine. As far as the third dose is concerned, the Health Minister indicated that those who have received their second dose of COVAXIN and AstraZeneca vaccines at least six months ago will be eligible for a third dose of vaccine.
Those who were inoculated with the COVAXIN vaccine will receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as third dose, between 02 and 09 October 2021. As for those who received two doses of AstraZeneca, they will be inoculated with a third dose of the same vaccine between 04 to 08 October 2021. Upon its depletion, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be used for this exercise, added Dr Jagutpal.
