Air Mauritius Press Release

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OF THE MAURITIUS – RODRIGUES ROUTE

Following the outbreak of covid-19, the authorities have extended travel restrictions currently in force, to the Rodrigues territory as from Sunday 22 March at 20H00 GMT (00H00 local time) until Sunday 05 April 20H00 GMT (00h00 local time). Consequently, Air Mauritius will not operate to and from Rodrigues as from Monday 23 March to Sunday 05 April, both dates inclusive.

Air Mauritius will issue revised schedules for the Mauritius - Rodrigues route in due course.

Authorities also advised that “all passengers entering Rodrigues by land of by sea will be placed in quarantine for 14 nights”. This directive is applicable for flights arriving in Rodrigues as from today Saturday 21 March as from 06H00.

Air Mauritius is closely monitoring the situation and will keep passengers apprised of further developments.

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Communique from Bank of Mauritius

Following the announcement made by Government with regard to national confinement and the critical role of the banking industry, the Bank of Mauritius has come forward with a series of measures to ensure continuity in the provision of basic banking services by commercial banks.  

At a meeting held this Friday 20 March 2020 with the Mauritius Bankers Association and Chief Executives of major banks offering retail banking services on the domestic market, the following decisions have been taken, which will be applicable during the confinement period:

• Banks will keep open branches in strategic locations to ensure a fair coverage. These branches will operate from Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 15:00 with minimal staff to provide basic banking services. A list of branches which will be open will be communicated to the public by the respective banks.  

• Banks will waive the fees applicable on shared ATM services. This will enable customers to have access to the ATM of any bank regardless of the issuer of the card without having to pay any fee.

• The Bank of Mauritius will continuously supply commercial banks with adequate banknotes for their ATMs.

• The Bank of Mauritius will maintain the operation of its payment and settlement systems.

With a view to minimizing the contagion of COVID-19 and limiting physical movements to bank branches, the Bank of Mauritius strongly encourages the public to use internet banking facilities and other electronic modes of payments, such as cards and mobiles.

Governor Seegolam stated: “The Bank of Mauritius is fully committed to accompany stakeholders in these challenging times and is taking necessary steps to ensure the good functioning of the banking system and minimize economic disruption. I wish to thank the MBA and the CEOs of banks for their continued support and collaboration’.

Communique from the Supreme Court

In view of the two weeks’ lockdown announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday night, the public is informed that all cases scheduled before all courts in Mauritius and Rodrigues during the period of lockdown stand postponed by order of the Chief Justice.

The dates to which these cases are postponed will be eventually communicated to all those concerned. The District Court of Port Louis will be operational on the premises of the Bail and Remand Court on the ground floor of the New Court House to deal with all urgent Criminal and Civil matters for all District Courts as from Monday the 23rd March 2020 during the lockdown period.

 The Intermediate and Industrial courts can be contacted during the period of confinement to deal with any urgent matters which may arise. As an exceptional measure during the period of lockdown, the Weekend Court sitting at the premises of the Bail and Remand Court on the ground floor of the New Court House will deal with any District Court issue or query arising on Saturday 21st March and on Saturday 28th March 2020.

All urgent applications to the Supreme Court will be dealt with from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th March 2020 by a Supreme Court Judge sitting in Chambers. During the ensuing week (period of Court vacation) there will be a Judge in Chambers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.

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 Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU)

Communiqué

The Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU), a division of the National Computer Board, operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation has noted that fake news and information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) are being posted and shared on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Whatsapp.

Personal details of COVID-19 victims are also being shared without authorisation of the government authorities on these platforms.

The CERT-MU wishes to remind citizens that these are offences under the Section 46 (ga), (h)(ii) of the amended Information and Communication Technology Act 2001 and they should refrain from doing so as this may lead to the legal sanctions.

CERT-MU advises the public to:

 Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and beware of email attachments related to COVID-19

 Use trusted sources such as legitimate, government websites for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19

 Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information

 Refrain from posting personal information related to COVID-19 victims

 Do not share any unverified details on the coronavirus

 Be cautious of online advertisements selling hygienic products such as masks, hand sanitizer

The public may report any cyber incident related to the COVID-19 on the Mauritian Cybercrime Online Reporting System (MAUCORS - maucors.govmu.org).

20 March 2020

The Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU)

National Computer Board

7th Floor, Stratton Court

La Poudriere Street

Port Louis

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MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius

Communiqué for Economic Operators

COVID 19 Work Access Permit during confinement period

(a)            During the confinement period, the general public will be restricted for movement. Employers shall encourage “Work-from-Home” to ensure business continuity.

(b)            To ensure that activities that are necessary for the proper functioning of the Country during this period may continue, some employees will be allowed to attend duty on-site provided they are in possession of an authorised COVID 19 Work Access Permit.

(c)            These Permits will be authorised by the Monitoring Committee – COVID 19, set up by Government, to employers in the following economic activities and its related support services:

^▪             Supply of food (including Bakeries, take away and home deliveries)

^▪             Food production, farming (fruits, vegetables & livestock), food processing and beverages

^▪             Supermarkets and associated supply chains (including online purchase and home delivery)

^▪             Freight Forwarding and other Logistic Activities

^▪             Licensed Telecom Operators

^▪             Petrol Stations and Cooking Gas distribution

^▪             Banks, Insurance and other Financial Services

^▪             Tourism

^▪              Airlines

^▪              Port and Airport related activities

^▪              Press, Media and associated services

^▪              Transport Industry including Taxis

^▪              Security Guards and Watchmen

(d)            The Committee may authorise other activities as and when required and shall reserve its right to restrict the number of employers and employees. The Committee reserves the right to revoke a Permit.

(e)            Employers shall restrict the number of employees to the strict minimum.

(f)            The permit will be valid from residence to place of work and back only. Confined group employee transport shall be authorised.

(g)            Employers will be granted the permits subject to them implementing and adhering to strict sanitary compliance under COVID-19 to prevent risks of contagion.

(h)            Any suspected case of COVID-19 should be immediately reported to the Ministry of Health and Wellness in line with the existing protocol.

(i)            The steps are outlined hereunder.

(j)            Permits will be given to skeleton staff.

(k)            Failure to comply to the above conditions will entail severe sanctions.