As many countries struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mauritius appears to have declared victory over the virus.
The reason for the jubilation lies in the fact that the country has not recorded new cases of COVID-19 in the last 17 days.
Health Minister, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, is quoted as saying that there are zero active coronavirus cases in the country and thanked its citizens for their cooperation in fighting the deadly pandemic.
“We have won the battle thanks to the cooperation of the public, who understood that the government needed to take extreme measures, including complete confinement, and the closure of supermarkets and our borders.
“But we have not yet won the war. Let’s remain vigilant,” he told AFP news agency.
In total, the island nation recorded 332 cases with 10 deaths. It was among the first in Africa to impose a total lockdown.
The government has however urged people to continue taking precautions even as it maintains some of the restrictive measures.
A few essential stores will be allowed to reopen from May 15 but markets will stay shut.
Schools will also remain closed until August, beaches will remain off limits and weddings and funerals can only be attended by 10 people.
The country’s parliament is debating two pieces of legislation, the COVID-19 Bill and the Quarantine Bill, which are designed to help the country get back on track.
