THE QUARANTINE ACT 2020
Regulations made by the Minister under section 13 of the Quarantine Act 2020
1. These regulations may be cited as the COVID-19 (Closing Down of Premises and Restriction of Activities) Regulations 2021.
2. Interpretation
In these regulations –
“Act” means the Quarantine Act 2020;
“COVID-19” means the virus known as the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
3. These regulations shall apply to the Island of Mauritius and shall not apply to the Island of Rodrigues, the Island of Agaléga, St. Brandon and the Chagos Archipelago.
4. For the purpose of preventing a spread of COVID-19 within the Island of Mauritius –
(a) premises listed in Part I of the First Schedule shall be closed and remain closed until 30 April 2021;
(b) events or activities specified in Part II of the First Schedule shall not be carried out until 30 April 2021; and
(c) no person shall attend the public places specified in Part III of the First Schedule until 30 April 2021.
5. Subject to regulation 6 –
(a) (i) premises, other than those specified in Part I of the First Schedule; and
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(ii) premises listed in Part I of the Second Schedule, are authorised to be opened to the public;
(b) (i) events or activities, other than those specified in Part II of the First Schedule; and
(ii) events or activities listed in Part II of the Second Schedule,
are authorised to be carried out; and
(c) public places, other than those listed in Part III of the First Schedule, are authorised to be attended to.
6. The preventive and sanitary measures specified in the Third Schedule and in the COVID-19 (Preventive and Sanitary Measures) Regulations 2021 shall be taken while –
(a) (i) premises, other than those specified in Part I of the First Schedule; and
(ii) premises listed in Part I of the Second Schedule, are opened to the public;
(b) (i) events or activities, other than those specified in Part II of the First Schedule; and
(ii) events or activities listed in Part II of the Second Schedule,
are carried out; and
(c) public places, other than those listed in Part III of the First Schedule, are attended to.
7. Any person who fails to comply with these regulations shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 500,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.
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8. The Prevention of Resurgence and Further Spread of Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 are revoked.
9. These regulations shall come into operation on 1 April 2021. Made by the Minister on 31 March 2021.
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FIRST SCHEDULE
[Regulation 4]
PART I – PREMISES TO REMAIN CLOSED
Pre-primary, primary, secondary schools/Tertiary institutions/ Vocational training centres
Private schools
Amusement centre
Aquarium for public viewing
Bookmaker (other than on-line betting)
Bar
Beauty saloon
Casino and Gaming house
Theatre
Nightclub
Cinema hall
Multi-purpose hall, including wedding hall
Fitness centre (gymnasium/sport complex)
Social hall/Village hall/Municipal hall/Community centre/Social welfare centre/Youth centre/Citizens Advice Bureau
Leisure park, including health track
Place of worship
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PART II – EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES NOT
TO BE CARRIED OUT
Fair (fun fair/fancy fair/trade fair/commercial fair/market fair) Public events
Sports events or sport activities
Public auction
Cultural/social event or any other gathering
Religious event/ceremony/marriage
Concert
PART III – PUBLIC PLACES NOT TO BE ATTENDED TO Public beach/sea, except for a registered fisher holding a fisher’s card Public garden
Children’s playground
National park and nature reserves
Recreational/leisure activities
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SECOND SCHEDULE
[Regulation 5]
PART I – PREMISES THAT ARE AUTHORISED TO OPEN SUBJECT TO MEASURES SPECIFIED IN
THIRD SCHEDULE
Shopping malls/hypermarkets/supermarkets/superettes/meat/ poultry/fish shops/food retail shops/retail shops (magasins) and hair saloons will open on Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Bakeries
Banks will open during their normal bank hours
Hardware stores (Quincailleries) will open up to 6 p.m.
Courts, in respect of such minimum judicial services as the Chief Justice deems essential and subject to such directives as the Chief Justice may issue
Private health institutions and private medical laboratories Shop of Opticien-lunetier
Pharmacies
Petrol stations
Port and airport and related businesses
Agro-chemical retail outlets selling agricultural inputs
Restaurants/fast foods/cafes to be opened only for delivery and takeaway
Schools, educational institutions and other premises designated as examination centres solely for the purpose of sitting for examinations
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Vehicle examination centres
Post offices
PART II – EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES AUTHORISED TO BE CARRIED OUT
Agricultural and breeding activities
Fishing activities by registered fishers only
Construction activities
Funerals, provided that not more than 10 persons are in attendance at a time
Civil marriages, provided that not more than 10 persons are in attendance
Horse racing, to be allowed without public (in camera) On-line betting
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THIRD SCHEDULE
[Regulation 6]
PREVENTIVE AND SANITARY MEASURES
1. (1) Access to commercial premises such as Markets/shopping malls/hypermarkets/supermarkets/superettes/meat/poultry/fish shops/food retail shops/retail shops (magasins), bank, post offices and hardware shops (Quincailleries) shall be controlled on the principle of alphabetical categorisation of customers. Access to customers thereto shall be granted only on presentation, in case of a –
(a) citizen of Mauritius, his National Identity Card or passport;
(b) foreigner, his passport or residence, occupation or work permit.
(2) All customers will be able to shop strictly on allocated days as indicated hereunder –
Surname starting from –
A-F (Monday and Thursday)
G-N(Tuesday and Friday)
O-Z (Wednesday and Saturday)
2. Commercial premises shall arrange for social distancing markings outside and inside their respective outlets. Outlets at commercial premises will demarcate queuing lines by way of floor markings. Outlets will also demarcate social distancing inside their premises. Customers shall adhere strictly to these markings.
3. Commercial premises will open on Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Banks will open during their normal banking hours. Commercial premises, except Pharmacies and Petrol Stations shall remain closed on Sundays.
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4. All fresh products and meat should be pre-packed, pre-weighed and pre-priced (no loose vegetable and fruit shall be available). Bread for sale shall be pre-packed and pre-priced.
5. Operators of all commercial premises shall provide to their employees masks, gloves and hand sanitisers.
6. Commercial premises shall provide extra perspex barriers at the tills. Where appropriate, alternate tills must be opened to ensure social distancing.
7. Each person shall be allowed to use only one trolley for purchase of essential supplies.
8. Single traffic flow of customers/one-way system shall be enforced within the commercial premises.
9. Each customer shall be allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 minutes inside commercial premises.
10. Commercial premises, as applicable, shall ensure that all trolleys and/or baskets are sanitised before delivery to each customer.
11. Every person having access to commercial premises shall wear a protective mask over his nose and mouth. Operators of all commercial premises shall provide hand sanitisers at entry and exit.
12. Entry to any commercial premises will be refused to a customer showing flu-like symptoms (high temperature, runny nose or coughing).
13. The body temperature of each customer shall be taken at the entrance of any commercial premises. Any customer having high temperature (380C and above) will be transferred to the nearest hospital according to the Protocol of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
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14. Except in the case of members of the same household, one customer per car will be allowed entry to commercial premises, except for persons with disabilities who may be accompanied by another adult. The NIC/Passport/Residence Permit/Occupation Permit/Work Permit of the individuals will be verified at the entrance
of the car park.
15. Persons under the age of 18 shall not be allowed within the premises of any commercial premises.
16. Any person without NIC/Passport/Residence Permit/Occupation Permit/Work Permit or not wearing protective masks or coming on the unallocated days, shall be refused access to the premises and the shops.
17. Commercial premises shall not be allowed to continue to operate in case of breach of any of the above conditions.
18. There shall be social distancing markings of at least one meter, by way of floor markings, outside and within all premises. Every person shall adhere strictly to these markings.
19. Every person shall strictly abide to the COVID-19 (Preventive and Sanitary Measures) Regulations 2021.
