COVID-19 - Seychelles gears up for the ‘new normal’ way of living |29 April 2020

Dr Gedeon and Dr Louange during the press conference yesterday (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

• Lift on certain restrictions subject to changes in case of second wave outbreak

Everyone should adhere to the measures in place as a positive beginning towards the ‘new normal’ way of living, while the lift on certain restrictions will be subject to changes in case of a second wave outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Based on the decision to lift some of the ongoing restrictions, precisely the prohibition on the movement of people around the country, Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon said we should all adopt a new sense of responsibility, compared to the initial lifestyle prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Gedeon was speaking during a press interview yesterday in the presence of the chief executive of the Health Care Agency Dr Danny Louange.

The lifting of restrictions, which will take place in phases, will begin on Monday May 4, provided that there are no new developments regarding the virus locally.

As from Monday, next week, offices and businesses will go back to their usual functions, while being encouraged to come up with innovative ways to encourage staff members to work from home, or fewer days whenever possible.

There will be guidelines in place based on the norms of the department of health, all in the effort to promote and maintain the culture of social distancing at workplaces.

Self-service shops will have to reorganise their layouts and remove any obstructions, providing enough space for clients to practice social distancing.

The second phase, which will begin on May 11, will include the reopening of all childminding and daycares services, along with post-secondary institutions, while the primary and secondary schools are scheduled to reopen on May 18 as part of the third phase.

The Public Health Commissioner noted that the Ministry of Education is already in the process of drawing up strategic plans on precautionary guidelines, mainly social distancing and sanitising facilities.

As for the fourth and final scheduled phase which will take effect on June 1, it will consist of the reopening of the airport for commercial flights, where tests on inbound travellers will be intensified.

Outbound travelling will also be permitted as per guidance and regulations issued by the department of health.

Dr Gedeon however advised against travelling for non-essential purposes.

Also included in the fourth phase will be the reintroduction of sports and leisure activities, along with the reopening of gyms, casinos and bars.

As of yesterday, there are still five patients at the Perseverance Isolation Centre, while the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort quarantine facility is still accommodating three individuals who have recovered.

So far, three people have fully recovered and released.

Roland Duval