Mauritius on Wednesday announced a fresh lockdown for the next two weeks as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to rise, reported Africa News. The new infections rose to 14 the number of local cases registered in Mauritius since March 5.
Notably, this is the second time the Indian Ocean archipelago nation has imposed a lockdown since the coronavirus pandemic began a year ago. The last lockdown was imposed in March 2020.
Restrictions will remain in force until March 25, according to a government statement.
“We had no other choice but total containment in order to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the population,” Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth announced Tuesday evening in a televised address. “This containment became necessary after the appearance of four new local positive cases of Covid-19, bringing to 14 the number of local positive cases registered since March 5.”
All residents and visitors have been asked to stay at home or in their hotels until March 25. People exempt from the lockdown include medical practitioners, public and private sector organization employees providing essential services, government and judicial employees, and people out for medical care or to buy essential items.
Only essential essential businesses – markets, pharmacies, bakeries, and petrol stations – and services – port, airport, and hospitals will continue to operate in Mauritius from Wednesday. As of Thursday, supermarkets, bakeries, petrol stations and pharmacies will be accessible on an alphabetical rotation basis.
“I am sure that we will be able to resume our activities as soon as possible”, the Prime Minister said.
Mauritius, the Indian Ocean Island of 1.4 million people, has reported 641 confirmed coronavirus cases with 10 deaths so far, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) data. Since March 5, 2021, there have been 31 active cases identified.
Mauritius government’s coronavirus vaccination program has been underway since January, offering Oxford/AstraZeneca shots to the people free of charge.
