President Danny Faure chaired a consultative session today with key representatives of government, private sector and civil society at the STC Conference room to discuss the current situation and way forward following Seychelles’ reopening of its borders to commercial flights on 1 August 2020.
The Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, provided an overview of the global situation and the local context with regards to COVID-19, providing an update on the active cases of COVID-19 in Seychelles. He also spoke about tests for those entering the country and public response to the pandemic. The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, gave a brief update on the work of the Task Force Committee which constitutes of supporting Standard Operating Procedures by tourism establishments, staff training, and sensitisation on the new health protocols at the airport.
This was a followed by a series of presentations from the SCAA, Department of Tourism, Seychelles Tourism Board, the Department of Local Government, SHTA, SCCI, SIFCO and CEPS, which included a report on arrivals since the opening of the International airport, the COVID-19 strategic plan for each district, the Safe Certified label, state of readiness by the tourism establishments, and reports from the civil society.
Commenting on the COVID-19 globally, President Faure reiterated the importance of following guidance from health professionals. He said that this is the most difficult period that the world is facing and that there are severe economic and social consequences to Small Island States like Seychelles. The President highlighted how all citizens of Seychelles need to embrace the concept of the new normal, observe the guidance given by the Public Health Authority and recognise their individual responsibility in implementing the National Framework for integrated management. He reiterated his commitment and that of the government to continue to ensure all Ministries, Departments and Agencies build on the partnerships that have been created, in the spirit of consultation and dialogue. He encouraged the media to continue communicating with the citizens on these matters.
The next consultative session will be held next Tuesday 25th August 2020.
Present for the meeting at STC Conference, was the Minister Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Charles Bastienne, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Miriam Télémaque, the Attorney General, Mr Frank Ally, Secretary of State for Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Economic Advisor to the President, Mr Bertrand Belle, the Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Ms Caroline Abel, Principal Secretary for Finance, Mr Damien Thesee, Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Mrs Elizabeth Agathine, Special Advisor to MFTIEP, Mrs Sitna Cesar, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kishnan Labonté, Principal Secretary for Health, Dr Bernard Valentin, Principal Secretary for Risk and Disaster Management, Mr Paul Labaleine, Special Advisor for Health, Dr Loren Reginald, Senior Policy Adviser Department of Health, Dr Conrad Shamlaye, CEO of the Healthcare Agency, Dr Danny Louange, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, Principal Secretary for the Department of Immigration and Civil Status, Mr Alain Volcere, Principal Secretary for Employment, Mr Jules Baker, the Special Advisor for Employment, Ms Veronique Bresson, CEO for SETS, Mr Guy Morel, Chief Policy Analyst, Employment, Ms Susan Morel, Director General for Employment Promotion, Mrs Letimie Dookley, Principal Secretary for Local Government, Mrs Marie-Céline Jeannevol, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr Alan Renaud, Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Mr Antoine-Marie Moustache, Principal Secretary for Fisheries, Mr Jude Talma, CEO for the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, CEO of SCAA, Mr Garry Albert, Deputy Governor of the Central of Seychelles, Mr Christopher Edmond, Director - Research and Statistics at Central Bank of Seychelles, Ms Hilda Palconit, the Chairperson of SCCI, Mr Oliver Bastienne, Secretary General SCCI, Mrs Iouana Pillay, Member of the SCCI, Ms Donaline Delpeche, Health Coordinator for Faith Based Organisation, Dr Anne Gabriel, Vice Chairperson of SIFCO, Bishop James Wong Yin Song, Member of SIFCO, Mrs Marion Gendron, the Chairperson of SHTA, Mrs Sybille Cardon, Executive Secretary of GETUS, Mrs Tina Hoarau, the Secretary-General of SFWU, Mr Antoine Robinson, representatives of the La Digue Business Association, Mr José St Ange, Chairperson of CEPS, Mr Jude Fred, Vice Chairperson of CEPS, Mrs Marie-Nella Azémia and member of CEPS, Dr Nirmal Jivan Shah.