‘I’m coming home’ |17 June 2020

Dr Gedeon and Dr Louange during the press conference (Photo: Joena Meme)

• Three repatriation flights within the next week

Over 250 Seychellois are stranded overseas in 29 different countries, according to public health commissioner Jude Gedeon, who yesterday affirmed the government’s commitment to repatriate citizens back to their beloved homeland at the soonest possible opportunity.

Speaking at the weekly COVID-19 press update, Dr Gedeon, providing figures collected by the department of foreign affairs, who together with the Public Health Authority (PHA) are coordinating repatriation flights, noted the main countries in which citizens are stranded as England, Malaysia, India and France, and other European countries.

“It is important to note that by stranded we are not referring to students still studying but rather those who have completed their studies, and others whose studies have been deferred. We are working with the department of foreign affairs to plan and to ensure all the citizens make it home safely, but at the same time bearing in mind and ensuring that no further risk is imposed on the general population,” Dr Gedeon stated.

Thus far, two repatriation flights have been organised, one for medical patients stranded in India and Sri Lanka following their course of treatment, and the other which touched down on Saturday June 13 from Dubai, with 19 stranded citizens on board. Of the nineteen, eight persons are in quarantine at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay quarantine facility, while the other 11 are under home quarantine.

As for Seychellois stranded in other countries, the department of foreign affairs and PHA are working tirelessly to coordinate and make arrangements for their safe repatriation.

During the week ahead, three repatriation flights have been arranged, the first to Doha on June 17, where thus far 13 stranded citizens are expected, a second to South Africa on June 18 on which 19 citizens are expected and a third to Mauritius on June 23.

“The repatriation flights organised thus far are from point A to point B on routes which Air Seychelles can easily access. Others are much further and will have to involve other airlines and transit points. For June, we said those in low-risk countries, for instance Australia, New Zealand to go to an exit point and from there board Air Seychelles but other places that pose a higher-risk will have to wait a bit until it is sorted out and we can ensure that they can be tested and they can through the diplomatic mission do the necessary to get them back to Seychelles. We are striving to do it as fast as we can,” Dr Gedeon added.

Only Seychellois citizens, and residents married to Seychellois residents qualify for such flights as well as diplomats. Persons on gainful occupation permits (GOP) are still excluded for the current timeframe as well as the Seychellois diaspora hoping to find solace in a COVID-free Seychelles.

On the local front, it has been 70 days since the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in early April, although Dr Gedeon noted that the risk of having new cases in Seychelles is not zero, on account of the gradual opening of borders and expected inflow of visitors.

“There is no country in the world where there is zero risk for the time being. It is for that reason that we are doing it in the most organised manner so as to minimise the risk and control movement in the country, especially those who are inbound,” Dr Gedeon noted.

Since the reopening of the airport to chartered flights and private jets on June 1, only visitors from low-risk countries are permitted to enter Seychelles territory under strict conditions. To date, the department has received 16 applications from leisure yachts, 12 of which have been approved. A further seven applications from private planes have been approved, while one is still pending and two have been withdrawn and a further two rejected for not satisfying criteria established by the department.

The department has also, with other concerned agencies, coordinated for crew changes in support of the fisheries sector. Crew changes of Spanish and French nationals were closely monitored and further crew changes are in planning, according to Dr Gedeon.

Dr Gedeon also elaborated on the global pandemic situation, noting the increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases worldwide, bringing the total rate of infection persons to over 8 million, with the death rate exceeding 400,000. He once again urged adherence to measures such as social distancing and maintenance of proper hygiene to stop the propagation of the virus, calling for everyone to be alert.

He also warned of a possible outbreak of dengue fever, advising proper maintenance around the home.

Dr Gedeon was accompanied during the press conference by the chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange.

Laura Pillay