Platinum Covid-19 committee meeting postponed |12 January 2021
Yesterday’s Platinum Covid-19 committee meeting was postponed, according to a reliable source.
After becoming the first person in Seychelles to receive the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, President Wavel Ramkalawan made it public that the Platinum Covid-19 committee would meet on Monday morning.
Seychelles NATION learned yesterday that the meeting did not take place because most of the health professionals were busy with the rollout of the vaccine in districts on Mahé and Praslin.
It is not clear when the committee will meet as the 10-day restriction on movement ends on Wednesday January 13.
It was after an emergency meeting of the Platinum committee on Covid-19 at State House on Sunday January 3, 2021 that a series of additional measures were taken against the spread of Covid-19 after Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon announced that there were a total of 297 Covid-19 cases, of which 83 are active. Of the 83, 46 were Seychellois, while the rest were foreign nationals.
As per the Public Health order drafted by the Attorney General, these conditions were to apply for the ensuing 10 days (until January 13):
- All standalone restaurants are to remain closed. Restaurants associated with hotels and guesthouses are to be used only by clients being accommodated in such facilities.
- All mobile catering vans and takeaway outlets are to remain closed. Such businesses can still prepare and sell food on an order basis.
- All sporting activities are suspended, although members within the same family can exercise together.
- All retail outlets are to remain closed, except for grocery store. Hardware outlets may remain open on condition that operating hours are limited to 12pm.
- Limitation of movement between islands. Persons are being asked not to travel to and from Praslin and La Digue, unless absolutely necessary.
- Stricter conditions for inbound visitors. Instead of being confined to their certified establishment for five days before taking a PCR test, visitors will now be confined for 10 days before taking the test, further limiting their movement.
- Public service employees are to work from home if possible or unless categorised as essential services.
- Stricter enforcement of public health measures. Police and military are to step up efforts to ensure compliance with the public health guidelines.
- All hospital visitations and visitations to elderly and care homes are banned.
- Outbound travel is not advised, although not prohibited.
- Large construction companies are to ensure employees limit movement to work and residences.
Gerard Govinden