Paradise island is open again.
Mauritius is gradually reopening for commercial flights. However, strict health measures are being implemented in these Covid-19 days. All passengers booking flights to this destination will have to pay extra for an initial two-weeks quarantine. The Covid-19 Act enforces a law on a quarantine period and wearing of masks in public. Flight passengers will be tested upon arrival at the airport where health officials and an analysis laboratory have been set-up. Passengers will be ushered by health official in their protective gear to transport taking them to their quarantine centre/hotel.
For detailed information on procedures click on this link.
Apart from the pandemic situation, the local scene has been further complicated by the recent oil spill caused by the sinking of the bulk carrier MV Wakashio which made international headlines. This was an ecological disaster for the island and a massive clean-up operation has taken place with international expert assistance. Information on this subject, click this link.
To add to this misery we had another disaster when the tug boat Sir Gaetan Duval, involved in the clean-up operation and the barge it was towing collided in rough seas. The damaged tug boat sunk and three crew died with the captain still missing. Maritime article, click this link.
Lately, we have had our share of disasters and the country, like many others, is still in the grip of economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic situation. With the lock-down and the stopping of commercial flights the tourist sector has been hard hit. Unemployment figures increasing due to lay-offs with the national airline and empty hotels. At this time there are some 30 hotels up for sale. We are experiencing price hikes for imported goods and the local currency MUR is depreciated against the USD. It is going to be a tough rest of the year 2020.
We have similar restrictions in Australia, and even interstate borders are closed in most areas. But I am so sad to hear of the ongoing problems with the oil leak and the loss of life in the cleanup.
Well at least, Mauritius are taking the correct actions both over the last few months and for the immediate-future to protect their citizens from further attacks of COVID-19.
The results (up to now), have proven that en-forced quarantine is the only effective measure (currently available) to those who wish to travel to the Island for whatever reason and the new-measures can only back-up the protection of MU for the longer term.
Of course it does mean that the various problems of financial, tourism, unemployment etc., will continue and even be made worse over time, but clearly there is no option if the island is to survive much worse conditions – if a second (or more) is allowed to re-occur.
The U.K. for instance failed since January/February’20 and are continuing to fail as of 23rd September’20 to make, enforce and observe the requirements for a mandatory-quarantine into the various U.K. islands/areas. As a result we are back to square-one where a full-scale increase in COVID-19 cases is happening – again.
It is not only the softly-approach by the government(s) here, but quite definitely by many of the public to self-enforce the advised requirements to protect others and themselves – by taking those required measures at all times and everywhere.
Even now as of 23rd September’20 – numerous passenger-flights from various overseas places are still arriving here – where those passengers are not being mandatory-quarantined, or even self-quarantined, simply because there are no specific quarantine facilities where those passengers should be spending their time and money, thus no-doubt adding to the ongoing risk of furthering the COVID-19 attacks here. Those who still feel that they need a holiday overseas, should be made to self-pay for that privilege of a mandatory-quarantine facility and the overall costs of such. Nobody on this planet has to cross a border for a holiday at his time of crises… With modern electronic-communications, that can easily apply to most business-travel too…
As of yesterday 22/9., for the first time the government here has announced significant increases in penalties for those who do or will not observe both the existing and new measures about to be in force, but far too-little and far too-late. A couple of months ago for instance, some places were allowed to re-open far too soon, which themselves were a clear example of places for furthering with ease this virus amongst its’ customers and then beyond.
Even though new-restrictions on such premises/gatherings are now to be enforced by law and at last the military are likely to be used to back-up the police for that enforcement, still insufficient legislation exists to deal with the serious-situation here.
There seems to be an idea that just testing of people is the answer, which it is not, as it will only prove that someone might have the virus at that time of testing, but not show if they have just got the virus within the incubation-period. In any case after some months, there is nowhere near-enough testing places, laboratory-facilities, etc., and to be tested is an option, not mandatory.
I have no doubt that all the things I have said over the last few months and since January’20, have either occurred or will occur in the future unless significant action is undertaken by both all-governments around the world and every-single person (regardless of age) to properly deal with COVID-19. Some of those things have been made known to me by my former colleague Mike S. in Mauritius and which clearly are those answers needed to curb and stop the spread of this situation and already has been well-undertaken by those in that lovely island – with the excellent/current results.
Deal with it in the early-stages by a total-quarantine regime was and still is the only method – at least until a full-scale vaccination is available, which will certainly mean that here in the U.K. it will be at least next Easter’21, before the problem is under control at least…
It’s not “Rocket Science”…
PLEASE KEEP SAFE & WELL
Mr.Terry