The President of the Republic, HE. Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan chaired the Platinum COVID-19 Committee Meeting at State House this morning, to discuss the way forward and the implementation of new heightened measures required to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Following deliberations by the committee, recommendations and guidance from the Health professionals and partner agencies, the Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jude Gedeon during the Press Conference announced the additional measures, which will come into force as of 8.00pm today, 23 January 2021 until 15 February 2021.

The meeting was also an opportunity, for the key agencies and authorities present to brief the Head of State of the latest information in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and key challenges affecting their operations.

The committee collectively agreed that the coming weeks is critical in ensuring the chain of transmission is severed and stressed on need for every citizen to take their responsibility to protect their family, their households and the country.

The new Public Health Order and full details of the new restriction measures will be published by the Ministry of Health in the coming days.

Also present at State House for the meeting was the Vice President, Mr Ahmed Afif, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Hon. Sebastien Pillay, the Designated Minister and Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Mr. Jean-Francois Ferrari, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister of Health, Mrs Peggy Vidot, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr.  Roy Fonseka, the Minister of Finance, Mr Naadir Hassan, the Minister for Community Development, Mrs Rose-Marie Hoareau, the Commissioner of Police, Mr.Kishnan Labonte, the Attorney General, Mr. Frank Ally, the Principal Secretary for Health, Dr Bernard Valentin, the CEO of the Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Jude Gedeon, SPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), SPDF Chief of Staff. Col. Simon Dine, the Principal Secretary of DRDM, Mr Paul Labaleine, the Senior Policy Adviser Department of Health, Dr Conrad Shamlaye, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Mr. Romano Songore, and Mr. Ted Barbe.

View the full Press Conference held at State House following the Platinum COVID-19 Committee Meeting 23January 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2kxzEySw44