Mauritius overcomes Covid-19

Recognized tourist paradise, the Republic of Mauritius will not have escaped the Covid-19 pandemic. However, while the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted more than 20,000 cases and 1,139 deaths among those over 60, there were only 332 positive cases and only 10 deaths, of which only five. directly linked to the coronavirus. As of Sunday, May 17, no new case had been recorded in Mauritius for 20 days. The reasons for this control of the pandemic are to be found in the responsiveness of the Mauritian authorities and the efficiency of a health system already honed to epidemics such as malaria.

It should be noted that Mauritius will not have waited for the WHO to declare the state of pandemic to put in place precautionary and control measures.

– From January 23, passengers from China are quarantined. A measure extended to other Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan thereafter. On February 2 it will be the outright ban on these nationals.

– On March 16, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announces the closure of the borders of Mauritius to the countries of the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland from Wednesday March 18 for a period of two weeks.

– On March 19 after the announcement of the first three cases of Covid-19, the Prime Minister declares a state of national confinement from the next day for 14 days. The entire economy is shut down except for essential services and a few grocery stores and pharmacies.

– The health containment will be cured after three days and then extended a first time until April 15, a second time to May 4 and finally a third time in the 1 ^st  June, with a gradual opening of certain sectors of the economy, from the May 15. The Prime Minister justified this extension so that the stabilization of the spread of the virus is not annihilated by a second wave.

Mauritius´ success in controlling and stabilizing the coronavirus is therefore explained by the importance attached to this pandemic by the Mauritian authorities. The closure of borders first for Asian countries affected by Covid-19 and then for other countries and the quarantine of Mauritians and residents coming from abroad demonstrates the desire to prevent the coronavirus from reaching the coast Mauritian.

We will also note a desire for transparency and continuous communication with daily press conferences by the National  Covid-19 Communication Committee and regular interventions by the Prime Minister even when he is in self-isolation. An application, beSafeMoris, has also been launched for continuous information on the situation and the precautions to be taken.

In practice, the experience of health services with diseases such as malaria has greatly helped with contact tracing of people found positive. In addition, centralization and the creation of isolation units for people in need of intensive care have helped to minimize the spread of the virus. A policy also helped by the creation of quarantine centers to accommodate all returnees. It should be noted the good synergy between the government and the private sector, including hotel groups, which have made no less than eight hotels available to the government for quarantine needs.

Finally, it should be added that Rodrigues Island, another part of the Mauritian Republic, located 600 km from Port-Louis, and also a popular tourist destination has not recorded any cases and that the sanitary confinement will have lasted only 14 days.

If no case has been detected for 20 days, vigilance has not been relaxed and tests for Covid-19 continue for all those who worked during the period of containment including medical staff, police and employees food shops. To date , 87,177 Covid-19 tests and 149 people are still in quarantine.

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L’île Maurice vient à bout du Covid-19

Paradis touristique reconnu, la République de Maurice n’aura pas échappé à la pandémie du Covid-19. Pourtant, alors que l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) lui prédisait plus de 20 000 cas et 1 139 décès chez les plus de 60 ans, il n’y aura eu que 332 cas positifs et seulement 10 décès, dont seulement cinq liés directement au coronavirus. À la date du dimanche 17 mai, aucun nouveau cas n’avait été enregistré à Maurice depuis 20 jours. Les raisons de cette maîtrise de la pandémie sont à chercher dans la réactivité des autorités mauriciennes et de l’efficacité d’un système de santé déjà rodé aux épidémies comme le paludisme.

Il faut savoir que Maurice n’aura pas attendu que l’OMS déclare l’état de pandémie pour mettre en place des mesures de précaution et de contrôle.

– Dès le 23 janvier, les passagers en provenance de Chine sont mis en quarantaine. Une mesure étendue à d’autres pays d’Asie comme la Corée du Sud et le Japon par la suite. Le 2 février ce sera l’interdiction pure et simple de ces nationaux.

– Le 16 mars, le Premier ministre Pravind Jugnauth annonce la fermeture des frontières de l’île Maurice aux pays de l’Union européenne, au Royaume Uni et à la Suisse à partir du mercredi 18 mars pour une période de deux semaines.

– Le 19 mars après l’annonce de trois premiers cas du Covid-19, le Premier ministre déclare un état de confinement national à partir du lendemain pour 14 jours. Toute l’économie est mise à l’arrêt hormis les services essentiels et quelques commerces d’alimentation et pharmacies.

– Le confinement sanitaire sera durci trois jours après puis étendu une première fois jusqu’au 15 avril, une deuxième fois au 4 mai et enfin une troisième fois au 1^er juin avec une ouverture progressive de certains secteurs de l’économie, à partir du 15 mai. Le Premier ministre a justifié cette extension afin que la stabilisation de la propagation du virus, ne soit pas annihilée par une deuxième vague.

La réussite de Maurice dans le contrôle et la stabilisation du coronavirus s’explique ainsi par l’importance attachée à cette pandémie par les autorités mauriciennes. La fermeture des frontières d’abord pour les pays asiatiques touchés par le Covid-19 et ensuite pour les autres pays et la mise en quarantaine de Mauriciens et résidents venant de l’étranger démontre la volonté d’empêcher le coronavirus d’atteindre les côtes mauriciennes.

On notera aussi une volonté de transparence et de communication continue avec des conférences de presse quotidiennes du Comité national de communication du Covid-19 et des interventions régulières du Premier ministre même quand il sera en auto-isolation. Une application, beSafeMoris, a aussi été lancée pour des infos en continu sur la situation et les précautions à prendre.

Dans la pratique, l’expérience des services sanitaires pour les maladies comme le paludisme ont grandement aidé pour le suivi des contacts (contact tracing) des personnes trouvées positives. Par ailleurs, la centralisation et la création d’unités d’isolation pour les personnes ayant besoin de soins intensifs ont permis de minimiser la propagation du virus. Une politique aussi aidée par la création de centres de quarantaine pour accueillir toutes les personnes rapatriées. Il est à noter la bonne synergie entre le gouvernement et le secteur privé dont les groupes hôteliers qui ont mis pas moins de huit hôtels à la disposition du gouvernement pour les besoins de quarantaine.

Enfin, il faut ajouter que l’île Rodrigues autre partie de la République mauricienne, située à 600 km de Port-Louis, et également une destination touristique prisée n’a enregistré aucun cas et que le confinement sanitaire n’y aura duré que 14 jours.

Si aucun cas n’a été détecté depuis 20 jours, la vigilance n’a pas été relâchée et les tests pour le Covid-19 continuent pour tous ceux qui ont travaillé pendant la période de confinement dont le personnel médical, les policiers et les employés des commerces d’alimentation. A ce jour 87 177 tests au Covid-19 et 149 personnes sont toujours en quarantaine.

The Mayor of Sofia met with the Ambassadors and Hon Consuls representatives of the African Nations in Bulgaria, to discuss the support from the Capital City to this year’s Africa Day initiatives in view of popularisation of the culture and economics of Africa.

The Ambassadors and Hon Consuls representatives of the African Nations in Bulgaria, held a get-together meeting, as to discuss this year’s Africa Day initiatives in view of popularization of the culture and economics of Africa.

The Ambassador of South Africa to Sofia HE Mr Thabo Thage made a visit to POLYGRAPHIA OFFICE CENTER where he met with with Hon Iliev, and representatives of the South African investments in the country and strengthen their position in front of the local authorities.

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, was host to H.E.Mr Dong Xiaojun Ambassador of PRC in Bulgaria.
Among the subjects discussed were global pressing points, investments in Bulgaria and the good bilateral relationship, and the important role of HC.

The new Ambassador of South Africa to Sofia HE Mr Thabo Thage met with Hon Iliev, to discuss a fruitful continuation of the initiatives undertaken and new possibilities for cooperation in the field of growing SA investments in real estate in the country. Expressed was Ambassador Thabo Thage’s will to support the South African investments in the country and strengthen their position in front of the local authorities.

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, was host to H.E. A. A. Makarov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Bulgaria together with delegation from the embassy.

H.E. Anatolii Anatolievich Makarov is a career diplomat, working at the Embassy in the Netherlands in 1977-1981 and at the Permanent Representation of Russia to the EU in Brussels, Belgium in 1994-1998.

In 2006-2011 he was Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa. 2012-2016 is Director of the Department for Work with Compatriots Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Since August 2016 - Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Bulgaria.

Among the subjects discussed were Russia and region, as well as other global pressing points, the good bilateral relationship, economic perspectives and the important role of HC.

World Federation of Consuls FICAC Central and Eastern Europe Meeting Sofia – World Capital of the Honorary Consuls

*picture: Dr Christo Iliev, HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, awarded with special plaque of appreciation by FICAC for his dedication and support. Photos from the event can be seen in the Gallery section.

Between 13-15 of June, the first meeting of the board of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), organized in collaboration with the Association of the Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria (AHCB) took place in Sofia. The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls was host and organizer. The event was attended by nearly 100 honorary consuls from 36 countries, diplomats, ministers, and other representatives from the business and political circles from all over the world.

This is one of the most major projects of its kind that has occurred in Bulgaria. The first day of the conference included FICAC Board Meeting, press conference, a special meeting with HRH Simeon II and a Gala Dinner for FICAC and AHCB members.

The culmination of the forum was the second day with the FICAC Central and Eastern Europe Meeting. Prominent politicians and business leaders discussed the political situation, the business opportunities and the future of the region. The main topic was the importance of the good relationships between the countries and the role of the honorary consuls.

Among the special guests and the keynote speakers were:

• H.E. Aykut Eken– President of FICAC, Honorary Consul General of Jamaica in Turkey;

• H.E. Borislav Boyanov – President of AHCB, Honorary Consul General of Malta;

• Mr. Rosen Jeliazkov - Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications of Bulgaria;

• H.E. Nikolay Vassilev, Deputy Prime Minister of Economy (2001-2003) and Minister of Transport and Communications (2003-2005), Honorary Consul of Slovenia, Managing Partner and Executive Director ExpatCapital;

• Mr. Levon Hampartzumyan, former CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Unicredit Bulbank;

• H.E. Maxim Behar, Honorary Consul General of Seychelles, VP and Spokesperson of the Bulgarian Association, Chairman of PR & Media Committee of FICAC;

• H.E. Nikolaos Margaropoulos, FICAC Secretary-General, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Greece

• Mr. Stamen Yanev, Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency.

Many additional activities were organized to keep the participants entertained during their stay such as a complimentary tour of Sofia, wine tasting, tour to Asian cultural exhibition in Sofia Central Park, a one-day trip to the city of Plovdiv.

The Forum was widely covered by the media and very beneficial to all involved in the organization.

Almost 100 honorary consuls, diplomats, ministers and other representatives from business and political circles from around the world took part in the forum, which lasted for 3 days. At the culminating event, prominent politicians and business leaders discussed the political environment, business opportunities and the future of the region. The main theme of the forum was the importance of good relations between countries and the role of honorary consuls in them.

HC Hristo Iliev was awarded by FICAC with a special plaque of appreciation for his dedication and support.

Photos from the event can be viewed in the Gallery section.

The African countries accredited in Bulgaria - South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Palestine and the Honorary Consuls of Mauritius, Seychelles and Guinea marked Africa Day in Bulgaria with a glamourous celebration at the City Garden (National Theatre Ivan Vazov Garden) in Sofia. Africa Day is an annual celebration where all African countries represented in Bulgaria manifesting their culture. Freshly cooked delicacies, traditional drinks, native dances and historical artifacts were exhibited to the guests to spread the African spirit.

This year’s organization of the celebrations was done by H.E. Mrs. Latifa BENAZZA, Ambassador of Algeria to Bulgaria, and Dean of the African Group, under the auspice of Ms Iliana Iotova, Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria. A significant number of distinguished guests, Bulgarian citizens and foreign tourists came to enjoy African music, costumes, souvenirs and traditional dishes and dance to African rhythms in an atmosphere of friendship and conviviality. This celebration, placed under the motto “A healthy lifestyle prolongs life” received wide coverage by Bulgarian media, including television, print media, and social networks.

HC Mauritius presented the rich culture, high-class tourism and vast business possibilities in the country, ranked highest in Africa for Democracy, Economic and Sustainable development. Kids had the chance to touch the sand and corals from the Mauritius coasts and their parents to try traditional Mauritius rum.

Photos from the event can be seen in the Gallery section.